Matu’u, Tuifua ruled out

The Manu Samoa has lost two key players as their preparations for the All Blacks visit next month kicks into another gear.

Hurricanes hooker, Motu Matu’u and veteran forward, Taiasina Tuifua, have both been ruled out.

Whereas Matu’u is suffering from a season-ending injury, Manu Samoa coach, Stephen Betham confirmed that Tuifua has made himself unavailable due to family commitments.

And that’s not the end of player availability issues for the Manu.

Should the Hurricanes and Chiefs make the Super 15 final, the Manu Samoa will have to face the All Blacks without any Super rugby player as stars including Tim Nanai Williams and Ray Lee Lo will not be available.

But the coach is confident that Manu Samoa will field a very strong team against the All Blacks.

The 26-man squad, to be announced on 29 June 2015, will feature a core of the team from the past couple of years.

One of the most worrying issues is the question of who will wear the number 10 jersey, given Tusiata Pisi’s form in recent years.

But Betham is unfazed by this.

He said while Pisi has been wearing the jersey during the past couple of years, it does not guarantee that he will wear it against the All Blacks.

The coach said they will monitor the players during their camp and the best player will be chosen to play against the All Blacks.

He added that there are several options for first five eighth. They include Michael Stanley, Patrick Fa’apale, Ah See Tuala and Nanai- Williams who can also cover first five, should he become available.

Asked about the opportunity for local players to crack the team to play the All Blacks, Betham said everyone will be treated the same.

Looking ahead, he pointed out that a big factor in the selection is the players acclimatising and making sure the reports about fitness and conditioning from their clubs are accurate.

Betham said the only way to check this is to get them to play in local conditions to see if they can handle the heat. In that regard, he said local players will have the edge as they have been playing and training in the humidity and the heat.

“Having said that, everyone will be considered,” he said. “They will be given an opportunity during the camp to prove themselves”.

Betham also used the opportunity to reiterate that the decision to drop former captain, Daniel Leo was based on form, not because of his outspoken nature against the Samoa Rugby Union.

He said Manu Samoa always has five international locks and at any given time when the team plays, four are guaranteed to travel.

Last year, Daniel Leo was among the top four.

Joe Tekori was the fifth lock and he was left and told to improve his form.

Looking at the reports from the clubs after a couple of visitations from the coaching staff to Europe, Betham said Tekori has bounced back while Leo has not been playing well for his club.

The coach said the opportunity is still available for Leo to fight his way back into the team for the Rugby World Cup if he changes his mind about retirement.

The Manu Samoa will begin camp next week.

There will be two camps, one in Samoa and one in New Zealand.

The extended squad as it stands is now 43. From this squad will come the teams for the All Blacks test, Pacific Nations Cup in the United States and Canada and the Rugby World Cup in Europe later this year.

MANU SAMOA TRAINING SQUAD

FORWARDS: Aniseko Sio, Anthony Perenise, Jake Grey, James Johnston, Sakaria Taulafo, Viliamu Afatia, Andrew Williams, Ma’atulimanu Lei’ataua, Wayne Ole Avei, Teofilo Paulo, Maselino Paulino, Kane Thompson, Iosefa Tekori, Fa’atiga Lemalu, Alafoti Faosiliva, Faifili Levave, Francis Ieremia, Jack Lam, Maurie Fa’asavalu, Ofisa Treviranus, Oneone Faafou, Tala James Ioane and Vavae Tuilagi

BACKS: Kahn Fotuali’i, Peleifofoga Cowley, Vavao Afemai, Michael Stanley, Patrick Fa’apale, Tusiata Pisi, Faialaga Afamasaga, Faleniu Iosi, George Pisi, Johnny Leota, Reynold Lee Lo, Ah See Tuala, Alesana Tuilagi, Alofa Alofa, David Lemi, Ken Pisi, Paul Perez, Sinoti Sinoti, Fa’atoina Autagavaia, Tim Nanai Williams