Miracle Faiilagi has been included in the Manu Samoa squad alongside four other Moana Pasifika players.
Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Faiilagi has been selected in the Manu Samoa rugby squad to prepare for the World Rugby Nations Cup in July.
Head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi announced Faiilagi’s name in Apia on Thursday morning, in a squad that features some new players set up to make their debut at the event, which is a build up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Faiilagi is one of the experienced hands named for the tournament, where Samoa will meet Hong Kong China, Georgia and Romania.
He is joined by four other Moana Pasifika teammates in Niko Jones, Joel Lam, Faletoi Peni and Tuna Tuitama.
Pisi has also named seven new players in the squad, along with Queensland Reds hooker Richie Asiata.
The other six players are Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia of Waikato, Pita Anae Ah-Sue of the Hautapu club in Waikato, Taeaoelia Pomale Timi of Northshore Rugby Club, Peter Umaga-Jensen of the Kintetsu club in Japan, plus local players Elisapeta Alofipo, who play for the Faasaleleaga club and Warren Solomona of Falealili.
Tough loosies Abraham Papalii of the Castres Olympique club in France and Stade Francais’ Iakopo Mapu have also retained their spots in the squad.
Other experienced hands include former All Black and current Queensland Reds prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Hurricanes halfback Ereatara Enari and Waikato’s NPC rep D’Angelo Leuila.
Pisi said after the squad annoucement there were some players who were committed to clubs in New Zealand for the National Provincial Championship, while others are recovering from injuries as well.
“Am happy with the experience in the squad plus the new players we have named,” he said.
“We have some players who were part of the campaign in 2025 as well.
“It’s an opportunity for us to see these players and give them the opportunity to prove themselves.”
Pisi knows the importance of performing well at the event with the 2027 Rugby World Cup just 15 months away.
He is confident the players named will step up, while others who are unavailable now would be ready to wear the Manu Samoa jersey for the November internationals, when the second round of the Nations Cup will be held.
Manu Samoa meet Hong Kong China on 5 July in Santiago in their opening pool game in Chile.
Samoa’s July fixtures:
- Samoa v Hong Kong China – 4 July, National Stadium, Santiago, Chile
- Samoa v Georgia – 11 July, 2026, Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile
- Samoa v Romania – 18 July, 2026, Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo, Uruguay
Manu Samoa squad:
Forwards: 1. Aki SEIULI – Burton Rigby Football Club, UK; 2. Titi LAMOSITELE – Harlequins, UK; 3. Jeff TOOMAGA-ALLEN – Queensland Reds, AUS; 4. Marco FEPULEAI – Mont-de-Marsan, FRANCE; 5. Jarred ADAMS – Pukekohe Rugby Club, NZ; 6. Manaaki BOYLE-TIATIA – Waikato NPC, NZ; 7. Ritchie ASIATA – Queensland Reds; 8. Pita ANAE AH-SUE – Hautapu Sports Club Waikato, NZ; 9. Taeaoelia POMALE TIME – Northshore Rugby Club, NZ; 10. Michael CURRY – Northcote Rugby Club, NZ; 11. Samuel SLADE – Sayama Secom, JAPAN; 12. Benjamin PETAIA NEE-NEE – Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves, JAPAN; 13. Alamanda MOTUGA – Ardmore Marist, NZ; 14. Niko JONES – Moana Pasifika, NZ; 15. Miracle FAIILAGI – Moana Pasifika, NZ; 16. Abraham PAPALII – Castres Olympique, FRANCE; 17. Iakopo MAPU – Stade Francais, FRANCE
Backs: 18. Connor TUPAI – Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, AUS; 19. Joel LAM – Moana Pasifika, NZ; 20. Ereatara ENARI – Hurricanes, NZ; 21. AJ ALATIMU – Waikato Chiefs, NZ; 22. Rodney IONA – Two Blues, AUS; 23. Peter UMAGA-JENSEN – Kintetsu, JAPAN; 24. Faletoi PENI – Moana Pasifika, NZ; 25. D’Angelo LEUILA – Waikato NPC, NZ; 26. Duncan PAIA’AUA – Marseille Rugby, FRANCE; 27. Va’afauese APELU MALIKO – Rugby Club Suresnois, FRANCE; 28. Tuna TUITAMA – Moana Pasifika, NZ; 29. Latrell AH KIONG – Two Blues, AUS; 30. Taunuu NIULEVAEA – Aana, SAMOA ; 31. Elisapeta ALOFIPO – Faasaleleaga, SAMOA; 32. Warren SOLOMONA – Falealili, SAMOA
