Milford captains Toa Samoa, Leota replaces injured Brown

By Mata'afa Keni Lesa 18 June 2019, 3:00PM

Broncos star, Anthony Milford, has been named to captain a strong Toa Samoa squad for Saturday’s test match against Papua New Guinea at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, Australia.

Coach Matt Parish has also scored something of a coup with two players selected for the New Zealand Kiwis squad turning down the offer to represent Samoa instead.

They are hard running Manly Sea Eagles forward, Martin Taupau, who is returning to the Toa Samoa, and Broncos player, Jamayne Isaako.


"After hours of soul searching and plenty of discussion with my fiancée and family, I had to make a tough call to the NZ Kiwis coach Michael Maguire this morning to inform him that I have made the decision to make myself unavailable for selection for the NZ Kiwis, and elected to make myself available for the Toa Samoa team once again," Taupau posted on Twitter.

"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that were given to me and the ability to represent my birth nation. In 2010 I had the honour of captaining the Junior Kiwis and then made my international debut in 2014!

"Since then I have worn the NZ jersey with pride and passion 24 times and will forever cherish every moment.

"I am a proud New Zealand born Samoan and I hope that sharing my reasons will help you find the courage to follow your heart and be true to yourself."

The Toa squad initially included Fa'amanu Brown of the Bulldogs but he has since been replaced by Moses Leota of the Penrith Panthers due to injury.


The team will also feature a new centre pairing this Saturday with St. George Illawarra Dragons centre Tim Lafai ruled out with an ankle sprain and veteran Joey Leilua also sidelined with injury.

The team is filled with N.R.L talent and they will be up against a P.N.G. team also brimming with N.R.L. experience.

The Toa Samoa is meeting their fans in Sydney on Tuesday as they gear up for the weekend’s test match. Toa Samoa vs PNG will follow a test between Fiji and Lebanon, the same day New Zealand is playing Tonga. 


YOUR TOA SAMOA TEAM 

Anthony Milford (c) (Brisbane Broncos)

Josh Aloiai (Wests Tigers)

Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers)

Michael Chee Kam (Wests Tigers)

Herman Ese'ese (Newcastle Knights)

Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

James Gavet (Newcastle Knights)

Hymel Hunt (Newcastle Knights)

Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos)

Mason Lino (Newcastle Knights)

Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)

David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers)

Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)

Marion Seve (Melbourne Storm)

Jaydn Su'a (Brisbane Broncos)

Jorge Taufua (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Martin Taupau (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Chanel Harris-Tavita (New Zealand Warriors)






By Mata'afa Keni Lesa 18 June 2019, 3:00PM

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