Tim Lafai

Pereira, who was born in New Zealand but also qualifies for Samoa through his father and England through his mother, has yet to decide which country to align himself with but Lafai urged Samoa to make the first call on him.

“It’s nice to have a fellow Samoan on my wing,” Lafai said.

“I think he is definitely a frontrunner for that wing position and if he keeps up his form I think he should get that spot.

After announcing their 24-man squad in Samoa on Friday morning, officials were given the belated news that Newcastle Knights skipper Mata’utia and Knights-bound Brisbane centre Moga have been ruled unfit.

Lafai's own personal form in 2017 started in a blistering pace, but along with the rest of Paul McGregor's men he has been inconsistent at the backend of the season. 

The former Bulldog put pen to paper on a new three-year deal with the Dragons in June and denied as a result he's taken the foot off the gas and become too comfortable. 

"It's a domino effect, if one player is off the rest can follow," Lafai told NRL.com.

"We got off to a great start along with myself but feel as though we've lost our way as a whole team.

On October 8, when the Toa Samoa international test team takes on the formidable Fiji Bati team, Lafai will be putting on that blue jersey once again.

“I always love running with these guys and coach Matt (Parish) has been doing a phenomenal job with the development of the team throughout the years and I’m excited to hit the field again with that signature blue on,” said Lafai.

Lafai started his career when he was only 19 years old in 2011 when the Bulldogs offered the Samoan centre a contract in the NRL.

Recently he moved to join the St George Illawara Dragons.