The Manu Samoa squad is currently in Apia awaiting their first Pacific Rim Tournament game against Tonga on Saturday. Injuries that occurred during a recent warm up match last Sunday in Auckland have resulted in three of the players standing down from the squad - To'o Vaega, Kas Lealaumanua and Brian Lima.
Vaega broke a bone in his hand during the warm up game on Sunday and just recently had surgery, while his team mate Kas Lealaumanua suffered a severe hamstring injury. Brian Lima has not fully recovered from his knee injury and is not available for the tour.
"It's unfortunate but these things happen and we all know how physical Samoan rugby games can be when they play," said Manu Samoa Coach John Boe.
"We've called in three other players, Toa Samania who played in last year's Manu Samoa squad, Malasia Mailo and Earl Va'a.
"There's no doubt that To'o, Brian and Kas will be missed but we have other players that can fill the gap and we do need to keep developing players all the time if we want to enlarge that pool for Manu Samoa," added Boe.
Malasia Mailo is based in Wellington and plays for the Tawa Club, Toa Samania plays for the Pakuranga Club in Auckland and Earl Va'a, who is currently based overseas, plays for Worcester in England.