Former All Blacks in Pacific rugby teams for Nations Cup

Two former All Blacks have joined the Manu Samoa camp ahead of this weekend's Nations Cup clash against Zimbabwe in Wakefield, England.

Looseman Akira Ioane and fullback Shaun Steveson get the chance to play for their country of origin at the competition.

Another former All Black, Ngani Laumape, has joined Tonga's 'Ikale Tahi, who are also preparing for the second round of the Nations Cup series.

All three players have become eligible for their countries of origin following the fullfillment of the World Rugby eligibility rules, where they had not played for any national teams for three years after their last matches for the All Blacks.

Ioane played for the All Blacks from 2017 to 2022, playing against Scotland on 19 November 2022 in his last international.

Stevenson played just one game for the All Blacks, on 5 August 2023 against Australia, while Laumape last played for the All Blacks on 7 November 2020, also against Australia, in Brisbane.

Former Chiefs player Stevenson said he is proud to be with Manu Samoa.

"Such a great feeling to be named in my first Manu Samoan camp to represent my Manu side of my family," he said as the team prepared in Wakefield during the week.

"They are very proud Samoans and to come out here is very special.

"It's going to be an exciting next few weeks and as we lead up to the World Cup it's going to be a hell of a journey."

Ioane and Stevenson join fellow former All Black Josh Ioane and former Wallaby Scott Sio in the squad.

Manu Samoa's tour squad is the strongest assembled since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with key forwards Michael Ala'alatoa, Theodore McFarland, Miracle Failangi, Alamanda Motuga and Samuel Slade all available.

Stevenson joins a backline that will feature Otago halfback Joel Lam, tough centre Lalomilo Lalomilo, Peter Umaga-Jensen and AJ Lam.

Samoa is currently tied with Tonga on seven points in the Americas and Pacific pool of the Nations Cup, which has the United States of America, with 10 points, at the top of the pool.

Mixed fortunes

Meanwhile, Tonga head coach Tevita Tuifua said from Bucharest this week that veterans Ben Tameifuna and former Wallaby Adam Coleman will join the team next week.

He said the duo will miss the clash against Romania this weekend.

Tuifua and fellow former 'Ikale Tahi player Nili Latu have assembled a mixed squad - made up of players who had been part of the campaign in the past two years and some returning from club commitments that tied them down in 2025.

The inclusion of Laumape, who played for Moana Pasifika this year and featured for Manawatu in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship this season, is a big win for the Tongans.

"Ngani is an experienced player and his inclusion has been a positive for the team," Tuifua said.

"We will miss Ben and Adam but we have replacements who will get the chance to play.

"Our focus is on building our team and combinations for the World Cup."

Tuifua said there might be some injury replacements for the side, especially with two more matches over the next two weeks.

Both Samoa and Tonga had indicated previously that they are using this month's World Rugby internationals to test new players, ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.