'Really big': All Black and Wallaby to officially make switch to Samoa
PREVIEW: All Black prop Charlie Faumuina and Wallaby playmaker Christian Leali’ifano are set to make their debuts for Manu Samoa against Japan on Saturday to stake claims for the Pacific nation’s World Cup squad.
Faumuina, 36, played the last of his 50 Tests for New Zealand in 2017 and has been named among the Samoa replacements to face Japan in Hokkaido.
The veteran tighthead prop has been playing for Toulouse since leaving New Zealand in 2017.
Leali’ifano, who made 26 appearances for the Wallabies up until 2019, has also switched countries and will make his Samoa debut at flyhalf.
The 35-year-old played for Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Pacific championship this season.
Samoa head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua said the experience of Faumuina and Leali’ifano would be “really, really big” for his team.
Under governing body World Rugby’s eligibility rules, Faumuina and Leali’ifano can switch countries because neither has played international rugby in the last three years.
Japan and Samoa are also due to meet in Pool D at the World Cup, which kicks off in September, along with Argentina, England and Chile.
Pacific Nations Cup, Round One teams:
Saturday, July 22:
Japan v Samoa
(Sapporo Dome, Hokkaido – Kick-off: 14.50 (18.50 Samoa time; 05.50 GMT)
Teams:
Japan: 15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Shogo Nakano, 11 Jone Naikabula, 10 Seungsin Lee, 9 Yutaka Nagare, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Kazuki Himeno, 6 Jack Cornelsen, 5 Amato Fakatava, 4 James Moore, 3 Jiwon Gu, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Keita Inagaki.
Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17, Craig Millar, 18, Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19 Uwe Helu, 20 Shota Fukui, 21 Naoto Saito, 22 Rikiya Matsuda, 23 Tomoki Osada.
Samoa: 15 Danny Toala, 14 Neria Foma’i, 13 Ulupano Seuteni, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Tumua Manu, 10 Christian Leali’iafano, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Michael Curry, 4 Brian Alainu’uese, 3 Paul Alo-Emile(captain), 2 Luteru Tolai, 1 Jordan Lay.
Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Tietie Tuimauga, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Genesis Mamea-Lemalu, 20 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 21 Melani Matavoa, 22 Martini Talapusi, 23 Ed Fidow.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (Rugby Australia), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Fiji v Tonga
(Churchill Park, Lautoka – Kick-off: 15.00 (16.00 Tonga time; 03.00 GMT)
Fiji: 15 Sireli Maqala, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Levani Botia, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Peni Ravai.
Reserves: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Luke Tagi, 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20 Vilimate Mata, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Semi Radradra.
Tonga: 15 Salesi Piutau, 14 Fine Inisi, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Solomone Kata, 10 Otumaka Mausia, 9 Sonatane Takulua (captain), 7 Solomone Funaki, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 Samiuela Lousi, 4 Halaleva Fifita, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Siegfrtied Fisi’ihoi.
Reserves: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Feao Fotuaika, 18 Tau Koloamatangi, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Sione Vailanu, 21 Manu Paea, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Kyren Taumoefolau.
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Michael Winter (New Zealand)
TMO: TBC
