Alaalatoa brothers set to butt heads
Crusaders prop Michael Alaalatoa could be set to face brother Allan when Samoa meet the Wallabies this weekend.
Michael Alaalatoa scored two tries on debut for Manu Samoa in their win over the New Zealand Heartland XV at Eden Park last Saturday.
He has been named in Samoa’s World Cup squad, following in the footsteps of father Vili, who propped for Manu Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
The Alaalatoa brothers – both tighthead props – were born in Sydney where their father played club rugby.
Allan, 25, has earned 31 Wallabies caps since his test debut against the All Blacks in 2016 after earlier playing in three under-20 World Cups for Australia.
Michael, 28, had one game for the Waratahs before moving to New Zealand in 2015 to play for Manawatu¯ .
He has won three Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders.
Michael Alaalatoa was eligible for three countries – Australia, Samoa and New Zealand – but has plumped for Samoa and will stiffen coach Steve Jackson’s front row for the World Cup.
Samoa meet the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday and the Alaalatoa brothers could find themselves in the same scrum, but wearing different jerseys.
‘‘Anyone would be keen to play their brother wouldn’t they?’’ Jackson told reporters at Samoa’s World Cup squad announcement.
Jackson said on the TVNZ Sport website that Alaalatoa was a great addition to his team.
‘‘This is the first time he has been with us in our environment and first time back in his culture, he’s a quality footballer, he comes from a background with the Crusaders.
‘‘He knows what it’s like to win and I’m sure we will draw on a little bit of that intelligence from him.’’
Michael Alaalatoa is 1.89m tall and 132kg.
Allan – tipped by one Australian rugby critic recently as a potential future Wallabies captain – is 1.82m and 125kg.
Their father, Vili, played in the same front row as legendary captain Peter Fatialofa when Western Samoa reached the quarterfinals of the 1991 World Cup after group stage wins over Wales and Argentina.
Samoa will be captained by Bristol Bears and former New Zealand under-20 lock Chris Vui, with former Hurricanes flanker Jack Lam leading the loose forward division.
First five-eighth Tusi Pisi, 37, is included for a third World Cup. Wales-based duo Kieron Fonotia and Rey Ley-lo bolster the midfield while outside backs Tim Nanai-williams (Clermont, France) and Ahsee Tuala (Northampton Saints) bring bigmatch European experience.