TE'O NAMED IN SAMOAN SQUAD

Wests Tigers second-rower Ben Te’o has been named in a 43-man strong Samoan squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Te’o joins fellow NRL players Matt Utai, Reni Maitua, Chase Stanley, Frank and Tony Puletua, and Nigel Vagana in the squad.

The squad will be reduced to 24 players on October 8 and also features leading English Super League players Francis Meli (St Helens), Willie Talau (St Helens), Jamaal Lolesi (Huddersfield), Joe Vagana (Bradford and Ali Lauititi (Leeds).

Samoa made the quarter-finals against Australia in the last World Cup in 2000 and have been drawn in Pool 3 with Tonga and Ireland for the 2008 tournament.

Samoa will open their 2008 campaign with the much-anticipated clash with Tonga at Penrith’s CUA Stadium on October 31 and meet Ireland on November 5 at Parramatta Stadium.

2008 SAMOA Rugby League World Cup Squad

Pat AH VAN Warriors
George CARMONT Wigan UK
Sonny FA’I Warriors
Dave FAIUMU Cowboys
Harrison HANSEN Wigan UK
Masada IOSEFA Panthers
Ali LAUITITI Leeds UK
Quentin LAULU TOGAGAE Panthers 20s
Mark LEAFA Uk
Kylie LEULUA’I Leeds UK
Philip LEULUA’I Salford UK
Jamaal LOLESI Huddersfield UK
Hutch MAIAVA Sharks
Reni MAITUA Bulldogs
Steve MATAI Sea Eagles
Ben MATULINO Warriors
Wayne MCDADE Auckland Vulcans
Francis MELI St Helens UK
Joe PAULO Eels
Junior PAULO Panthers
Frank PULETUA Panthers
Tony PULETUA Panthers
Jerome ROPATI Warriors
Tangi ROPATI East Tigers Qld
Junior SA’U Newcastle
Smith SAMAU Titans
Lagi SETU Dragons
Terrence SEUSEU Sharks
Dave SOLOMONA Bradford UK
Malo SOLOMONA Warroprs
Wallace SOLOMONA East Tigers Qld
Chase STANLEY Dragons
Junior T KILIFI Panthers 20s
Sam TAGATAESE Storm
Willie TALAU St Helens UK
Misi TAULAPAPA Sharks
Taulima TAUTAI Eels
Ben TE'O Tigers