League: Samoa stand down trio

Reni Maitua is one of three players not considered for selection for Samoa's Four Nations opener. Photo / Getty

Samoan trio Reni Maitua, Tautau Moga and Sauaso Sue have not been considered for selection for Saturday's Four Nations opener against England due to an NRL integrity unit investigation into their involvement in a Brisbane brawl.

Maitua, Moga and Sue were not named in coach Matt Parish's side for the Suncorp Stadium encounter when it was named on Tuesday.

A statement accompanying the announcement acknowledged they were not available for selection "pending finalisation of an NRL integrity unit review".

Moga was one of up to eight men arrested over an alleged fracas that broke out at the Hot Gossip nightclub in Fortitude Valley on Sunday morning.

Fullback Tim Simona, wingers Antonio Winterstein and Daniel Vidot and centres Joey Leilua and Ricky Leutele form a strong backline for the Four Nations underdogs, with Ben Roberts and Kyle Stanley slotting into the halves.

Kangaroos discard Josh McGuire slots into the back-row in a pack that also includes Sam Tagaetese, David Fa'alogo, Frank Pritchard and Leeson Ah Mau. Michael Sio will play hooker.

Pita Godinet, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Isaac Liu, Mose Masoe and Dunamis Lui are all part of an extended bench. Parish is yet to name a skipper.

Toa Samoa's preparation for the four-week tournament has been thrown into disarray due to the nightclub incident which broke out after an official function at the nightclub.

Samoa team to play England on Saturday:

Tim Simona, Antonio Winterstein, Ricky Leutele, Joey Leilua, Daniel Vidot, Ben Roberts, Kyle Stanley, Sam Tagaetese, Michael Sio, David Fa'alogo, Frank Pritchard, Leeson Ah Mau, Josh McGuire. Interchange: Pita Godinet, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Isaac Liu, Mose Masoe, Dunamis Lui (one to be omitted).

-AAP