Toa Samoa Head Coach Ben Gardiner has named his first Toa Samoa squad for 2025 to take on the Kiwis in the Pacific Championship opener. Garder’s side has been dubbed the best Samoan line-up since the notorious team that reached the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final.
Veteran forward Junior Paulo has been named Co-Captain and will start at the lock position. Gardiner has entrusted Jerome Luai to Co-Captain alongside Paulo to lead the men in blue this Sunday 19th October at Auckland’s Go Media previously Mt Smart stadium.
Luai is partnered with Blaize Talagi in the halves as they look to steer the Samoa ship to victory against the Kiwis outfit.
Samoa has a huge advantage in the forward pack against the Kiwis, with 5 of the starting 6 players having State of Origin experience. Josh Papalii and Payne Hass are Samoa’s front row duo.
Papalii has had an impressive 2025 season with the Canberra Raiders finishing in 1st place at the end of the regular season, as well as leading Queensland to a series win earlier this year.
Payne Haas is Samoa’s big acquisition this year. He was named Dally M Prop of the Year after a dominant season with the premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos. Haas also picked up Broncos Player of the Year for a record sixth time in his career at just 25 years of age.
Samoa’s second row is the Queensland duo in Jeremiah Nanai from the Cowboys and Jaydn Su’a from the Dragons. Su’a is a Toa Samoa veteran who debuted in 2019. Nanai on the other hand had chosen to represent Australia at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup before switching to the blue jersey when Samoa toured England last year.
At fullback is veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who had pledged his alliance to Samoa since his return to rugby league in 2024. Joining Tuivasa-Sheck in the back three is metre-eater Brian To’o and Cowboys trying-scoring machine Murray Taulagi.
Son of legendary Samoan music artist Lapi Mariner, Deine Mariner, is named to start in the centres. Mariner is also fresh off the back of winning the NRL Premiership and he will be partnered by Penrith’s Izack Tago.
Sea Eagles Jazz Tevaga gets the nod at the hooker position, no 9.
Gardiner has also named a strong interchange with utility back Chanel Harris-Tavita as the first name off the bench for Samoa. Harris-Tavita has improved instrumentally this year having led the Warriors to a Top 6 finish in the absence of Warriors star Luke Metcalf.
Joining him on the bench is West Tigers in-form prop Terrel May. May is accustomed to playing 80 minutes at prop for his club side so his impact off the bench will no doubt throw the Kiwis.
Dolphins veteran Francis Molo and exciting young talent from the Raiders, Simi Sasagi, complete Gardiner’s side.
Roosters young star Benaiah Ioelu is named as the 18th Man.
Toa Samoa will play in the opener of the Pacific Championship against the Kiwis at Go Media Stadium Auckland this Sunday. Kick off at 6:05pm Samoa and NZ time.
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