Toa Samoa Squad for 2023 Pacific Championship Unveiled
Toa Samoa’s extended squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships has been announced with four Panthers players fresh off winning a premiership included.
New coach Ben Gardiner has named Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Izack Tago and Spencer Leniu — however Jarome Luai is unavailable due to injury.
The pack includes veteran Junior Paulo, who will captain the side, as well as Luciano Leilua, Stefano Utoikamanu, Royce Hunt and Terrell May.
Rookies Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Sualauvi Faalogo are set to get a taste of international footy after being selected. So too Bulldogs teen Karl Oloapu.
Powerhouse winger Greg Marzhew and rising second-rower Heilum Luki also join the list of 10 players set to make their debut for Samoa.
“With the balance of young and senior players, it’s definitely a good combination that we have got going,” Paulo said on Tuesday.
Samoa will face Australia in their first match of the championship on Saturday, October 14 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.
Jesse Arthars (Brisbane Broncos)* Daejarn Asi (Parramatta Eels)* Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Manly Sea Eagles)* Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers) Sualauvi Faalogo (Melbourne Storm)* Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks) Luciana Leilua (North Queensland Cowboys) Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins) Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers) Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys)* Greg Marzhew (Newcastle Knights)* Justin Matamua (Wests Tigers)* Terrell May (Sydney Roosters)* Karl Oloapu (Canterbury Bulldogs)* Keenan Palasia (Brisbane Broncos) Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels) Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers) Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys)* Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm) Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers) Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers)
The Jillaroos play the Kiwi Ferns first up in the women’s game followed by the Kangaroos v Samoa. Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, Saturday 14th October,2023.
The 2023 Pacific Championships will include two match days in Australia, two in New Zealand and four in Papua New Guinea.
The men’s tournaments will be spread across two pools from October 14 and culminate in finals in Hamilton and Port Moresby on November 4-5.
Tonga women will join the other six nations in a series of international fixtures that make up the women’s 2023 Pacific Championships when they take on the Kiwi Ferns at Eden Park on October 21, along with the Kiwis and Samoa.
The Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns will meet twice in Townsville on October 14, as part of a double-header featuring the Kangaroos and Samoa, and in Melbourne on October 28, alongside the Australian and New Zealand men’s teams in a trans-Tasman double-header.
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