Toa Samoa have officially named a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with a strong mix of established international stars, NRL talent and exciting young players.
The squad features several of the biggest names in the game, including captain and veteran forward Junior Paulo, Wests Tigers playmaker Jarome Luai, Canterbury Bulldogs star Stephen Crichton, Penrith Panthers winger Brian To’o and Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Samoa will also have plenty of attacking firepower out wide, with Sua Fa’alogo, Clayton Faulalo, Deine Mariner and Greg Marzhew, who is coming off a heartbreaking Grand Final loss to the Roosters.
Fa’alogo is one of the most exciting young players in the squad after establishing himself as one of the best attacking threats in the NRL. The Melbourne Storm flyer was named the club’s best player for the 2026 season.
The backline also contains significant experience, with Crichton bringing 16 international caps and 14 State of Origin appearances, while To’o has already represented Samoa 20 times and NSW 17 times. Luai, meanwhile, has 13 caps for the Toa and 12 State of Origin appearances.
Experience and power up front
Samoa’s forward pack combines established international experience with a number of emerging players.
Alongside Paulo are the experienced Spencer Leniu and Francis Molo, as well as Jazz Tevaga, who is fresh off winning a Super League title with Wakefield Trinity.
The squad also includes young guns Francis Manuleleua and Jermatime McEwen, who have emerged as two of the sport’s most exciting up-and-comers after leading Newcastle to a Grand Final this year.
A dangerous spine
The combination of Luai, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Crichton, Fa’alogo, Tabuai-Fidow and Ioelu gives Samoa considerable versatility across the spine and outside backs.
Luai is expected to play an important role in organising Samoa’s attack, having already established himself as one of the Pacific nation’s leading playmakers. Harris-Tavita provides another experienced option in the halves, while Ioelu, an out-and-out hooker, adds attacking quality from dummy-half.
Tabuai-Fidow’s inclusion is particularly significant. The Dolphins star previously represented Australia but has committed to Samoa for the World Cup, joining a backline that will look to fire on all cylinders in 10 days’ time.
Despite the star-studded side, there were still some big names missing from Ben Gardiner’s squad.
Payne Haas, Simi Sasagi, Jeremiah Nanai, Heilum Luki and Taylan May have all been ruled out due to injuries.
Samoa will play their first World Cup match next Friday, 16 October, against France.
BJ is a part-time sports reporter who loves rugby and rugby league. He has a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting from Waikato University. His rugby clubs are Fraser Tech in Hamilton, and Marist Rugby Club in Samoa. BJ is Samoa’s 59th Olympian having made the Rugby 7s team in 2024. BJ has signed to play for North Sydney in the Schute Shield in 2025.
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