Three former All Blacks named in Manu Samoa squad
Thursday 8 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story All Blacks, Rieko Ioane, World Rugby, Shaun Stevenson
Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson have switched allegiance to Samoa. The former All Blacks are included in a 30-man squad for next month's Nations Cup matches against Zimbabwe, Portugal and Spain.
Key facts
4 facts
- Samoa's Nations Cup opponents are Zimbabwe, Portugal and Spain
- Eligibility requires a Samoan passport and a three-year stand-down period
- The squad consists of 30 players
- Akira Ioane plays for Japan's Kintetsu Liners
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane and Shaun Stevenson have been named in Manu Samoa's 30-man squad for next month's Nations Cup matches. The trio will compete against Zimbabwe, Portugal and Spain.
The players became eligible to represent Samoa by holding a Samoan passport and completing a three-year stand-down from international rugby. Akira Ioane, a loose forward, made 21 appearances for the All Blacks. Report one states these appearances occurred between 2020 and 2022, while report two states they were between 2017 and 2022.
Other former All Blacks in the squad include Peter Umaga-Jensen, who debuted for Samoa in July. The squad also features Etene Nanai-Seturo and A.J. Lam, both of whom are playing in France.
The squad additions come as Samoa recently secured qualification for the next Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Where reports differ
- Reports differ on the years Akira Ioane played for the All Blacks, citing 2020-2022 or 2017-2022
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and Stuff.
How they headlined it
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