Ex-All Blacks trio make Manu Samoa switch for Nations Cup clashes

A trio of former All Blacks headline Manu Samoa’s squad for next month’s Nations Cup matches against Zimbabwe, Portugal and Spain.

Akira Ioane, Shaun Stevenson and Josh Ioane have all been named for Samoa for the first time, as three of eight uncapped players in the 30-man squad.

The trio are eligible to switch allegiance to Samoa due to observing a three-year stand-down from international rugby, and holding a Samoan passport – in line with World Rugby’s relaxed eligibility laws.

Akira Ioane, 31, has switched allegiance from New Zealand to Samoa, after making 21 appearances for the All Blacks between 2020 and 2022.

After falling out of favour with national selectors, the loose forward has since traded New Zealand for Japan, when he signed to join Rugby League One side Kinetetsu Liners from 2024.

He’s joined by former Chiefs fullback Stevenson, who earned a sole test cap for the All Blacks in 2023, as part of a heavily rotated side that defeated Australia in Dunedin as the final home match before the Rugby World Cup in France.

Stevenson, 29, made more than 100 appearances for the Chiefs at Super Rugby level, and 12 for the Māori All Blacks, has been with Japan’s Kubota Spears since the start of 2025, after being granted a short-term sabbatical from his New Zealand Rugby contract, before joining fulltime this year.

Josh Ioane, 31, also played just one test – coming against Tonga in Hamilton in 2009 – played out spells with both the Highlanders and Chiefs in Super Rugby, before leaving for Irish side Connacht in 2024. However, he also represented Samoa at Under-20 level, before committing to New Zealand.

The trio aren’t the only former All Blacks in the squad, with Peter Umaga-Jensen also been included in Samoa’s squad, after switching from New Zealand earlier this year. The 28-year-old also earned a sole cap for the All Blacks, coming in 2020 against Australia.

Ex-Chiefs outside back Etene Nanai-Seturo has been selected for the first time, after leaving for France at the end of the 2026 season.

Niko Jones, the son of All Blacks great Sir Michael Jones, also features, along with former Wallabies Scott Sio and Michael Alaalatoa.

Samoa squad: Scott Sio, Aki Seiuli, Michael Alaalatoa, Marco Fepuleai, Tietie Tuimauga, Millennium Sanerivi, Sama Malolo, Richie Asiata, Ben Petaia Nee-Nee, Samuel Slade Chris Gabriel, Theodore McFarland, Niko Jones, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Faiilagi, Akira Ioane, Abraham Papali’i, Connor Tupai, Joel Lam, Efeso Tavita, Jacob Umaga, Josh Ioane, Irae Simone, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Duncan Paia’aua, Latrell Ah Kiong, AJ Lam, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.