Warriors named in Pacific WC squads

A host of Warriors players have been named in strong preliminary squads for Tonga and Samoa ahead of October's Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

Samoa has named six Warriors in its initial squad of 39 while Tonga contains two in a list of 36.

Patrick Ah Van, Sonny Fai, Ben Matulino, Jerome Ropati, Malo Solomona and Evarn Tuimavave are in the Samoan mix although they will all come into consideration for the 50-man Kiwis squad named at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday morning.

Former Kiwis George Carmont, David Faiumu, Harrison Hansen, Ali Lauitiiti, Francis Meli, Frank and Tony Puletua, David Solomona, Chase Stanley, Willie Talau, Motu Tony, Matt Utai, Nigel Vagana and Steve Matai are also named, with Matai a leading contender to join the Kiwis if he shrugs off a niggling neck injury.

Meanwhile, Manu Vatuvei and Epalahame Lauaki feature in Tonga's squad. Vatuvei is certain to be a leading contender for a Kiwis wing spot and Lauaki may be a part of the initial extended list.

There are Kiwis representatives featured as well in Louis and Vinnie Anderson, Tevita Leo-Latu and Tame Tupou.

Also included are Willie Mason, Brent Kite and Anthony Tupou who were named in Australia's 46-man squad and are all a good chance of representing the Kangaroos when coach Ricky Stuart makes the final cut.

Samoa: Patrick Ah Van (Warriors), George Carmont (Wigan), Sonny Fai (Warriors), David Faiumu (Huddersfield), Harrison Hansen (Wigan), Masada Iosefa (Penrith), Ali Lauitiiti (Leeds), Mark Leafa (Castleford), Kylie Leuluai (Leeds), Philip Leuluai (Salford), Hutch Maiava (Penrith), Reni Maitua (Canterbury), Steve Matai (Manly), Ben Matulino (Warriors), Wayne McDade (Auckland Vulcans), Francis Meli (St Helens), Joseph Paulo (Penrith), Junior Paulo (Parramatta), Frank and Tony Puletua (Penrith), Jerome Ropati (Warriors), Tangi Ropati (East Tigers), Junior Sa'u (Newcastle), Smith Samau (Gold Coast), Lagi Setu (St George), Terence SeuSeu (Cronulla), David Solomona (Bradford), Malo Solomona (Warriors), Wallace Solomona (East Tigers), Chase Stanley (St George), Sam Tagataese (Melbourne), Willie Talau (St Helens), Misi Taulapapa (Cronulla), Taulima Tautai (Parramatta), Ben Te'o (Wests), Motu Tony (Hull), Evarn Tuimavave (Warriors), Matt Utai (Canterbury), Nigel Vagana (South Sydney)

Tonga: Frazer Anderson (Cronulla), Louis and Vinnie Anderson (Warrington), Andrew Emelio (Canterbury), Richard Fa'aoso (Newcastle), Albert Hopoate (Newtown), Michael Jennings (Penrith), Sam Huihahau (South Sydney), Michael Jennings (Penrith), Sinbad Kali and Antonio Kaufusi (Melbourne), Brent Kite (Manly), John Kite (Canterbury), Toshio Laiseni (Newtown), Epalahame Lauaki (Warriors), Tevita Leo-Latu (Wakefield), Sioeli Makaui (Wests), Sika Manu (Melbourne), Willie Manu (Hull), Manase Manuokafoa (South Sydney), Willie Mason (Sydney), Feleti Mateo (Parramatta), Tevita Metuisela (Wests), Sam Moa (Cronulla), Eddie Paea (South Sydney), Lopini and Mickey Paea (Sydney), Fetuli Talanoa and John Tamanika (South Sydney), Esikeli Tonga (Gold Coast), Willie Tonga (Canterbury), Anthony Tupou (Sydney), Tame Tupou (Bradford), Etuate Uaisele (Parramatta), Manu Vatuvei (Warriors), Cooper Vuna (Newcastle)