Samoa squad: No Suaalii and no Luai, but no question for Crichton - it was only Samoa

Joseph Suaalii has been ruled out of Samoa’s Pacific Championships campaign after the Sydney Roosters made him unavailable for selection due to concussion.

New Samoa coach Ben Gardiner named a 21-man squad for the tournament on Tuesday, with only five players left from last year’s World Cup final against Australia.

Jarome Luai has also been ruled out as Penrith await a call on shoulder surgery, but there is good news for Samoa, with Stephen Crichton indicating he will continue to prioritise the country.

But it is Suaalii who is the most notable absentee.

As questions continue to swirl around his future ahead of his planned 2025 move to rugby union, the Roosters told Gardiner the 20-year-old will be unavailable for selection.

“He’s unavailable. I had a conversation with the Roosters a few weeks ago. It’s concussion protocols,” Gardiner said.

“It’s a disappointing one for Joey and obviously Jarome as well. But that’s the nature of footy, particularly at the end of the year.”

Suaalii was sidelined for the Roosters’ semi-final loss to Melbourne with a concussion, after a head knock the previous week against Cronulla.

It was Suaalii’s second concussion in three months, after also taking a head knock in training in the middle of the season.

It means Suaalii will not play for Samoa again ahead of his impending move to the 15-man game.

Gardiner said he would have picked him if available.

“He represented rugby league this year. It’s at the back end of the season where he’s played rugby league,” Gardiner said.

Crichton’s long-term pledge is more positive news.

The three-time premiership-winning Penrith centre would likely have been an option for Australia had he wished to represent the Kangaroos.

But the Canterbury-bound star’s decision to play for Samoa gives genuine hope that the nation can join fellow Pacific powerhouse Tonga in players prioritising them over tier-one nations.

Crichton could spend time at fullback or in the halves for Samoa, with selection for their October 14 opener against Australia in Townsville clouded by Brian To’o and Terrell May both expecting babies in the next week.

“Stephen is Samoan. His parents were born in Samoa. He’s a guy that will play for Samoa and only Samoa,” Gardiner said. 

“There was no question of whether he was going to play for Australia. 

“When I spoke to him about it a few weeks ago, he just said, ‘I’m Samoan and I play for Samoa’. 

“Part of our aim is to build the international game to a level where players are representing their heritage on a given basis every year.” 

Gardiner is also hopeful of luring Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to Samoa when he returns to rugby league, planning to meet with him in coming weeks.

pu have been named.

Along with Paulo, fellow Origin representatives Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Murray Taulagi and Stefano Utoikamanu are in the squad.

Samoa squad

Jesse Arthars (Brisbane Broncos)
Daejarn Asi (Parramatta Eels)
Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Manly Sea Eagles)
Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)
Sualauvi Faalogo (Melbourne Storm)
Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks)
Luciano Leilua (North Queensland Cowboys)
Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)
Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers)
Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys)
Greg Marzhew (Newcastle Knights)
Justin Matamua (Wests Tigers)
Terrell May (Sydney Roosters)
Karl Oloapu (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Keenan Palasia (Brisbane Broncos)
Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)
Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys)
Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm)
Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests