Rugby World Cup

The 24-year-old Ntamack ruptured cruciate ligaments in his left knee in the second half of the 30-27 victory over Scotland in a World Cup warm-up on Sunday, the team said following scans.

Matthieu Jalibert is set to fill in as Ntamack's understudy when the tournament begins in France on Sept. 8.

“Romain, we are thinking of you a lot,” the French rugby federation posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The whole group is supporting you. We wish you a good recovery.”

In his own post, Ntamack wrote: “I'll be back.”

Kolisi had major knee surgery in April but South Africa are confident he will be fit in time for their first pool game against Scotland in Marseille on 10 Sept.

There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago.

But Am, who twisted his knee in a warm-up test against Argentina on Saturday, and Pollard, who has a long running calf injury, were among the notable omissions when the squad was unveiled at an elaborate televised ceremony.

The surprise inclusion is prop Jone Koroiduadua.

Ben Volavola has missed out along with Vilimoni Botitu, Seta Tamanivalu, Joseva Tamani and Meli Tuni.

That was the word from Samoa Rugby Union (Lakapi Samoa) chairman and former prime minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi as he announced a 32-member squad to take the country to France.

He told the players that they are privileged to be selected and they must remember the flag that reminds them of their freedom.

"This is the only way, the only way that we can raise our flag and remind ourselves that we are proud Samoans," he said.

Bristol loose forward Vui and Leinster prop Alaalatoa were included in a 32-man squad for the tournament starting in France on September 9, with one player still to be confirmed.

Coach Seilala Mapuusa named three former New Zealand internationals -- fly-half Lima Sopoaga, flanker Steven Luatua and prop Charlie Faumuina -- while fly-half Christian Leali'ifano represented Australia at the 2019 World Cup.

Waratahs forward Taleni Seu has also been included after a strong season for the NSW side.

Manufacturer of the sporting kits for the national team, Macron Rugby explained “The blue of the Pacific Ocean, the flight of the seagulls, and the resilience of the Samoan people represented through the symbols and the design of the new @manu.samoa Home and Alternate kits for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023.”

Meanwhile, Samoa will be out to win their next game when they will be hosting Tonga in Apia on Saturday.

The Seilala Mapusua coached side lost to Fiji 19-33 last week after winning against Japan 24-22.

Coach Simon Raiwalui has confirmed that Yato removed himself from the camp earlier this week.

The Nadroga man trained with the team at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes last weekend and was part of their training session on Monday.

Raiwalui said Yato left the squad on his own accord.

‘He had great preparation and in the past weeks he was an outstanding leadership, leading the boys from and unfortunately there was a situation and he chose to leave the camp and I respect that.’

Samoa edged the game 24-22 in Sapporo in what was a dress rehearsal for the two teams’ Pool D encounter at the World Cup in France later this year.

Japan took an early lead, but suffered a blow when former captain Leitch was red-carded 10 minutes before the break for a dangerous tackle on Samoa’s So’otala Fa’aso’o.

Japan flank Kazuki Himeno said it was “disappointing” that the Brave Blossoms could not shake off the mental effects of Leitch’s dismissal.

The only problem is, the class act seemingly best equipped to replace Ikitau at outside centre in the two coming Bledisloe Cup matches against the All Blacks doesn’t want to play there.

Samu Kerevi first burst onto the Test scene in 2016 as a dynamic No.13 and reluctant No.12.

Now it’s the opposite, and it looked that way after Kerevi shifted from inside to outside centre after Ikitau was injured while scoring Australia’s opening try in Saturday night’s 34-31 Rugby Championship loss to Argentina.

These were the words of Samoa’s Head of State, Afioga I le Ao Mamalu o le Malo Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II to the players of the Samoa National 15’s rugby side.

Delivering his words of encouragement to the team ahead of the Rugby World Cup, Afioga said the players should consider it a huge success to be selected to represent Samoa for the tournament.

“I know that it has been a tough journey for all of you to get the opportunity to represent our country in the world cup and I believe that you are all proud and excited of being part of our Manu Samoa team.”