Samoa
Former Tahs flyer closing in on All Blacks clash
ESPN Staff
June 30, 2015
Alofa Alofa could be lining up against the All Blacks in Apia next week © Getty Images
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As the Wallabies prepare to name a squad featuring, in all probability, powerhouse Fijian Taqele Naiyaravoro, one of Michael Cheika's former Waratahs flyers is on the cusp of a Test date with the mighty All Blacks.

Former NSW back Alofa Alofa is one of three wingers included in a 27-man squad for Samoa's historic Test with the All Blacks next week. The squad will be reduced to 23 a couple of days out from the July 8th clash in Apia, putting Alofa on the verge of a showdown with the country of his birth.

One of the stars of the Waratahs' 2014 title triumph, Alofa quickly became a fan favourite as he notched five tries in 14 matches. The Auckland-born flyer then headed off to France to take up a contract with La Rochelle where he scored a further seven tries in a fine debut season in the Top 14.

Having kept Naiyaravoro - the subject of a tug-o-war between the Wallabies and Fiji - on the replacements bench late in 2014, Alofa Alofa could have found himself a Wallabies target had he not headed off to France last year. That decision led him to a maiden Test cap with Samoa against Canada though, one he is now every chance of adding to in Apia.

"Hopefully if things work out well, I'll be chosen to be play but if not, I know the boys will give 100 percent for our country, so either way, I'm here for the team," Alofa told the Samoa Observer. "I'm just happy that I'm in the Manu Samoa family now. They're a good bunch of boys, good management. I'm just excited to see what the future holds for me."

Kieran Read is tipped to lead the All Blacks in the absence of Richie McCaw © Getty Images
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Alofa is battling veterans Alesana Tuilagi and Ken Pisi for a spot on the wing but could still potentially make the bench if he misses a spot in the run-on side. Samoa will face a weakened All Blacks outfit that won't feature any players from this weekend's Super Rugby final; but one still likely to contain superstars Brodie Retallick, Kieran Read, Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams.

If Alofa is to miss out, he is sure to be a part of Samoa's Rugby World Cup squad in England. The Islanders have a terrific chance of reaching the quarter-finals, having been grouped alongside South Africa, Scotland, the United States and Japan. At just 24 years of age, Alofa will have plenty of Test rugby to play beyond that tournament; despite the ongoing problems of the Samoan Rugby Union, he's keen to leave a lasting legacy on the Island's rugby history.

"I don't want to be a guy who just played rugby for Samoa," he said. "I want to leave a legacy, like Alesana Tulagi and others who have come up through the ranks and made their mark in rugby. Wherever you go in the world they know who he is. I want to do that. Hopefully I can learn from him and see how things go."

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