Pritchard and Roberts included in Samoa squad for World Cup
Frank Pritchard and Ben Roberts have been included in the Toa Samoa squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Pritchard, 33, became a fan favourite at Hull FC before he moved to NRL outfit Parramatta Eels ahead of this season and will captain the big Samoan outfit.
Roberts played in the Betfred Super League Grand Final at the weekend but was on the losing side as Castleford Tigers fell short of Leeds Rhinos.
Josh Papalii will pull on the blue jersey for the first time and will play alongside Canberra Raiders teammates Junior Paulo and Joey Leilua.
Head coach Matt Parish was forced to make two late changes to his 24-man squad though. Tim Lafai and Frank Winterstein have been called in to replace the injured Sione Mata’utia and Tautau Moga.
Winterstein, 30, is a familiar name in England, with the Manly Sea Eagles star having previously plied his trade in the Super League with Wakefield Trinity, Crusaders and Widnes Vikings between 2009 and 2013.
Joseph Paulo returns to the team after captaining the United States in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Toa Samoa 24-man squad: Frank Pritchard (Parramatta Eels), Bunty Afoa (New Zealand Warriors), Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra Dragons), Fa’amanu Brown (Cronulla Sharks), Herman Ese’ese (Brisbane Broncos), Pita Godinet (Manly Sea Eagles), Tim Lafai (St George Illawarra), Joey Leilua (Canberra Raiders), Ricky Leutele (Cronulla Sharks), Sam Lisone (New Zealand Warriors), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Suaia Matagi (Parramatta Eels), Peter Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights), Ken Maumalo (New Zealand Warriors), Zane Musgrave (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Joseph Paulo (Cronulla Sharks), Junior Paulo (Canberra Raiders), Ben Roberts (Castleford Tigers), Sam Tagataese (Cronulla Sharks), Jazz Tevaga (New Zealand Warriors), Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm), Frank Winterstein (Manly Sea Eagles), Matthew Wright (Manly Sea Eagles).
Toa Samoa start their World Cup campaign with a huge fixture against New Zealand on Saturday 28 October.
