Samoa Player Biographies

Following are brief biographies of the Samoa World Cup squad (ages correct at start of tournament):

BRYAN WILLIAMS (coach). Age: 49. A former All Black winger, Williams was included on New Zealand's infamous 1970 tour of South Africa as an 'honorary white.' He went on to play 38 tests for New Zealand, scoring 10 tries, before retiring in 1978. Served as Western Samoa's technical advisor during the 1991 World Cup before taking over from John Schuster as Samoan coach for the 1995 World Cup.

MIKE UMAGA. Fullback. Age 33. 1.83m. 94kg. Caps: 13. The older brother of All Black winger Tana Umaga, made his test debut in 1994 and went on to play at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. A hard-running and aggressive fullback, Umaga was lured to rugby league after the World Cup, spending two seasons playing in Britain before returning to union.

SILAO LEAEGA. Fullback. Age 25. 1.79m. 94kg. Caps: Three. Unlucky to miss out 1995 World Cup but now established as Samoa's second string fullback. A technically sound player with good skills in all areas, including goal kicking. Scored 15 points on his test debut against Tonga in 1997.

BRIAN LIMA. Winger. Age 27. 1.78m 92kg. Caps: 34. Playing in his third World Cup. One of the finest backs ever produced by Samoa. A prolific try-scorer and excellent defender, he has represented both the Auckland Blues and the Otago Highlanders in the Super 12 provincial championships.

AFATO SO'OALO. Winger. Age 25. 1.75m. 80kg. Caps: Nine. Made an amazing start to his test career, scoring an 80 metre try with his first touch of the ball in his test debut against Ireland in 1996. A top sevens player who has become a favourite with Christchurch crowds during his time playing provincial and Super 12 rugby for Canterbury.

FILIPO TOALA. Winger. Age 25 (26 on October 25). 1.75m. 87kg. Caps: Three. First played for Samoa in Ireland three years ago but didn't play his first test until 1998. A fast, elusive winger with a strong defensive game. Also a key member of the Samoan sevens team.

VA'AIGA TUIGAMALA. Winger/centre. Age 30. 1.80m. 105kg. Caps: 10 (plus 19 for new Zealand). One of the sport's most enduring characters. A former All Black, 'Inga the winger' played for New Zealand at the 1991 World Cup before successfully switching codes to rugby league two years later. He returned to union in 1996, agreeing to his play for his native Samoa 'to give something back' to his homeland.

TO'O VAEGA. Centre. Age 34. 1.78m. 86kg. Caps: 44. Samoa's oldest and most experienced player. Also competing in his third World. Scored Samoa's first try at the 1991 World Cup, helping the team to an historic 16-13 win over Wales. He has the honour of leading the Siva Tau, the Samoan war dance performed before the start of each game.

GEORGE LEAUPEPE. Centre. Age 24. 1.79m. 95kg. Caps: 23. A key member of the Samoan side. Made his test debut as a 19-year-old on the 1994 tour of Australia. An elusive runner and strong defender, Leaupepe also played at the 1995 World Cup, scoring a crucial try against Argentina. Plays for the Otago Highlanders in the Super 12.

TERRY FANOLUA. Centre. Age 25. 1.84m. 88kg. Caps: Six. A former Auckland Colts representative, Fanolua played for the Samoan sevens team at Hong Kong and Japan in 1996. An international since 1996, can also play fly half and is a reliable goal kicker. Like many of his team mates, Fanolua plays club rugby in Britain for Gloucester.

STEPHEN BACHOP. Flyhalf. Age 33. 1.78m. 90kg. Caps: 14 (plus 5 for New Zealand). One of Samoa's best players during the 1991 World Cup, Bachop moved to New Zealand and played for the All Blacks from 1992-96 before returning to Samoa in 1998. A great tactician, Bachop's brother Graeme now plays for Japan.

EARL VA'A. Flyhalf. Age 27. 1.70m. 84kg. Caps: Six. A former rugby league representative player, Va'a made a speedy transition to union, playing his first test against Ireland in 1996 after just three full games in the code. An elusive runner with excellent handling and kicking skills.

TANNER VILI. Flyhalf. Age 23. 1.70m. 75kg. Caps: Three. Top points scorer in Auckland club rugby in 1998 and a linchpin in the club's championship winning season. Played for Samoa sevens this year and made his full debut in the 1999 Pacific Rim Championship.

STEVEN SO'OIALO. Scrumhalf. Age 22. 1.77m. 82kg. Caps: Seven. Made his test debut during last year's World Cup qualifying tournament in Australia. One of the fittest players in the squad.

JON CLARKE. Scrumhalf. Age 24. 1.82m. 95kg. Caps: Six. Clarke is a big, strong running scrumhalf who made his debut for Samoa against New Zealand's Northland in 1997. He scored his one test try against Australia in last year's World Cup qualifying tournament, showing great strength.

ISAAC FEAUNATI. Number eight. Age 26. 1.87m. 105kg. Caps: Four. A former Wellington representative, Feaunati made his debut for Samoa on the 1996 tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland. He is an extremely strong forward with good ball skills and has played sevens and tens for Samoa.

PAT LAM (captain). Number eight. Age: 32. Height: 1.87m. Weight: 104kg. Caps: 31. A former All Black trialist, Lam is playing in his third World Cup for the Samoans. A fierce competitor who plays his club rugby in England, moving to Northampton from Newcastle where he was a huge hit. Was awarded the Samoan captaincy three years ago.

JUNIOR PARAMORE. Flanker. Age 30. 1.90m. 105kg. Caps: 16. Another veteran of the 1991 and 1995 World Cup campaigns. Scored a sensational 45-metre solo try against the Wallabies last year. Plays club rugby in England.

SEMO SITITI. Flanker. Age 25. 1.88m. 98kg. Caps: Two. The team's most versatile player, equally at home playing as a loose forward or in the backline. A fast and elusive player, has been a regular in Samoan sevens teams for years.

CRAIG GLENDINNING. Flanker. Age 26. 1.84m. 96kg. Caps: Seven. A former New Zealand Maori representative. Made his Samoan debut during this year's Pacific Rim championship. A fast and constructive flanker who relentlessly hunts the loose ball.

KALOLO TOLEAFOA. Flanker. Age 28. 1.85m. 92kg. Caps: 2. A veteran Samoan sevens representative, plays club rugby in Auckland.

SENE TA'ALA. Flanker/lock. Age 25 (26 on October 20). 1.94m. 110kg. Caps: 13. A versatile and skilled player who is equally adept at lock or loose forward. He is big, strong and mobile with excellent lineout skills. An automatic choice in Samoan test teams.

LIO FALANIKO. Lock. Age 29. 1.96m. 115kg. Caps: 22. Made his debut for Western Samoa in 1991 and was unfortunate to miss that year's World Cup due to injury but has been a regular ever since. Has played Super 12 for both Otago and Wellington.

OPETA PALEPOI. Lock. Age 23. 1.95m. 106kg. Caps: Seven. Regular member of Samoan team over the past few seasons. Made his debut on the United Kingdom and Ireland tour of 1996.

LAMA TONE. Lock. Age 28. 2.05m. 105kg. Caps: Nine. A former member of the Samoan national basketball team, is one of the most athletic players in the squad and the chief lineout ball-winner.

BRENDAN REIDY. Prop. Age 27. 1.85m. 108kg. Caps: 14. Made his test debut at the 1995 World Cup. Now a regular at loosehead. A highly mobile prop with a high work rate.

KEPI FAIVA'AI. Prop. Age 29. 1.80m. 117kg. Caps: Nine. A giant prop who can play on both sides of the scrum. A product of Apia's famous Marist St. Joseph's club.

MIKE MIKA. Prop. Age 30. 1.80m. 110kg. Caps: 10. A long time player for New Zealand's Otago and more recently Southland. Experienced, versatile prop.

ROBBIE ALE. Prop. Age 26. 1.80m. 115kg. Caps: Two. Made his debut on the 1994 Australian tour. Good scrummager and fine runner with the ball in hand. Has scored two tries in his two tests so far.

TREVOR LEOTA. Hooker. Age 24. 1.74m. 110kg. Caps: 10. A short but powerful and aggressive defender, now ranked as Samoa's number one hooker. Plays for English first division club Wasps. Sent off against France earlier this year.

ONEHUNGA MATAUIAU. Hooker. Age 23. 1.80m. 96kg. Caps: Two. A former Samoan under 21s captain. Was selected as a replacement on the 1995 tour of the UK but has mostly played sevens in recent seasons. A versatile forward who can also play flanker.

Reuters contributed to this report.