Samoan Tour of SA and Australian Super 14
Samoans due in SA
Sportal
Samoa will start 2007 with a five-match tour of South Africa and Australia.
The Samoan team was scheduled to arrive in South Africa on New Year's Day.
Despite some claims that former All Black Michael Jones had quit as coach of the side, he will be with the team on the tour.
The issue with Jones arose after he had suggested he be appointed Samoa's full-time coach until after this year's World Cup in France. Jones has been part-time coach of Samoa since 2004.
The matter has been cleared up and the tour organiser Willem Strauss told PlanetRugby.com: "I received a call this morning [Sunday] from the Samoan management confirming that Michael [Jones] will coach the team."
While most of the 28-man squad was to arrive on New Year's Day, Jones and two other players, who had visa issues, would arrive on Tuesday.
The Samoans are to play a combined Lions-Pumas side on January 6 at White River. They will play the Bulls on January 10 and the Cheetahs on January 13.
They will meet the Queensland Reds on January 20 and the Western Force on January 25.
The Manu Samoa squad is:
Forwards:
Donald Kerslake (Samoa),
Muliufi Salanoa (Samoa),
Iakopo Eti (Taranaki),
Pena Falefa (Auckland),
Silao Vaisola (Otago),
Lolenni Tafunai (Samoa),
Luti Pese (Samoa),
Mike Sala (Auckland),
Laupepea Laupepa (Auckland),
Ray Stark (Taranaki),
Justin Purdie (Wellington),
Wil Brame (Sydney),
Manaia Salavea (Samoa),
Ulia Ulia (Captain),
Marlon Sione (Sydney),
Filisoa Faaiu (Samoa).
Backs:
Junior Polu (Auckland),
Notise Tauafao (Samoa),
Doug Sanft (Auckland),
Jerry Meafou (Samoa),
Willy Lafaele (Wellington),
Pati Fetuiai (Samoa),
Mika Senio (Samoa),
Keli Arteria (Samoa),
Asalemo Malo (Taranaki),
Timoteo Iosua (Samoa),
Uale Mai (Samoa),
Lolo Lui (Samoa).
14 Samoan based, 5 Auckland, 3 Taranaki, 2 Wellington, 2 Sydney Clubs, 1 Otago and 1 Bristol (UK).
