Staines to honour Samoan grandfather
Charlie Staines will honour his grandfather when he pulls on a Toa Samoa jersey for the first time in Saturday's Pacific Test against the Cook Islands at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Staines, who grew up in Forbes, is one of four Penrith Panthers players making their debut for Samoa and the quartet may be joined by team-mates Jarome Luai, Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton in the squad for the World Cup.
"I am representing my heritage and my culture," Staines said. "I didn't grow up around it but I have come in here, learned some new things and I love it.
"The leaders in the group, Marty Taupau, Josh Aloiai and those boys, have stood up and talked about what it means to play for Samoa. I'm very honoured to be a part of it."
Samoa's squad features Panthers quartet Charlie Staines at fullback, Taylan May on the wing, Izack Tago in the centres and Spencer Leniu on the bench, Sea Eagles forwards Josh Aloiai, Josh Schuster and Martin Taupau and Dragons duo Francis Molo and Jaydn Su'A in the pack.
Anthony Milford will call the shots from halfback in his eighth Test match alongside Warrior Chanel Harris-Tavita in his second.
Rabbitohs flyer Jaxson Paulo and Broncos forward Keenan Palasia get their first crack at international football while Fa'amanu Brown's remarkable comeback story continues as he plays his first Test for Samoa since the 2017 World Cup.
The Cook Islands squad features brothers Reubenn and Vincent Rennie and cousins Esan and Steven Marsters, while fullback Kayal Iro is the nephew of coach Tony Iro.
Titan Esan Marsters and Warrior Pride Petterson-Robati are the co-captains.
Former Roosters and Sharks forward Tinirau Arona will return from England to provide experience for a young Cook Islands outfit which also includes Broncos Brendan Piakura and Xavier Willison, Rabbitohs prop Davvy Moale and Eels prop Makahesi Makatoa.
Former Warrior Anthony Gelling will look to add to the eight caps he has earned since debuting back in 2009 in the game in Cairns, which includes two at the 2013 World Cup against the USA and Wales. He slots into the centres alongside Reubenn Rennie.
Toa Samoa: Charlie Staines; Taylan May, Izack Tago, Jaxson Paulo, David Nofoaluma; Chanel Harris-Tavita, Anthony Milford; Martin Taupau, Jazz Tevaga, Francis Molo, Josh Schuster, Jaydn Su'A, Josh Aloiai. Interchange: Fa'amanu Brown, Keenan Palasia, Spencer Leniu, Bunty Afoa. Reserves: Mathew Feagai, Ronald Volkman.
Cook Islands: Kayal Iro; Steven Marsters, Anthony Gelling, Reubenn Rennie, Geoff Daniela; Esan Marsters, Reece Joyce; Vincent Rennie, Tinirau Arona, Xavier Willison, Brendan Piakura, Pride Petterson-Robati, Moses Noovao-McGreal. Interchange: Aaron Teroi, Davvy Moale, Makahesi Makatoa, Reuben Porter. Reserve: Brody Tamarua.
Photo: NRL Photos
