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Former All Blacks trio Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Stevenson named in Samoa's Nations Cup squad

Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson are among eight uncapped players selected in Samoa's 30-man squad for November's World Rugby Nations Cup fixtures against Zimbabwe, Portugal and Spain.

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Former All Blacks trio Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Stevenson named in Samoa's Nations Cup squad
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Three former All Blacks are in line to make their Manu Samoa debuts after being named in the country’s 30-man squad for the November leg of the World Rugby Nations Cup. Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson headline a group of eight uncapped players selected by Samoa, who face Zimbabwe on 7 November before taking on Portugal and Spain — all three opponents are bound for Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.

Akira Ioane is the most capped of the trio, having earned more than 20 Test appearances for the All Blacks. The backrower last represented New Zealand at XV-a-side level during a tour of Japan in 2023 and has since been playing for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in the second division of Japan Rugby League One.

Josh Ioane became All Black number 1185 when he came off the bench in a win over Tonga in Hamilton. The fly-half now plays for Connacht in Ireland and featured in the matchday 23 in each of the URC’s opening two rounds this season.

Stevenson is a one-Test All Black who was named to start against the Wallabies ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The fullback departed the Chiefs after the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season and went on to make 20 appearances for the Kubota Spears during their run to the 2025/26 Japan Rugby League One Final.

Elsewhere in the squad, former All Blacks Sevens and Chiefs representative Etene Nanai-Seturo has been included, as has former Blues midfielder AJ Lam, now at Clermont. Irae Simone of Maruwa and Chris Gabriel from Castres Olympique are also in contention for Test debuts.

The squad also retains former Wallabies prop Scott Sio, who made his Manu Samoa bow during the final qualifying event for Rugby World Cup 2027.

Samoa opened the revamped World Rugby Nations Cup with a 66-19 victory over Hong Kong China on 5 July before suffering defeats to Georgia and Romania. Their November campaign begins against Zimbabwe at DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield, England.

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