All Black gets start for Samoa
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Former New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga will make his Samoa Test debut in this weekend’s World Cup warm-up with Ireland.
Sopoaga, 32, made his last All Blacks appearance in 2017 and benefits from a World Rugby rule change to play for another country through family links – when they face Ireland in Bayonne, southern France, on Saturday.
The former Highlanders playmaker is one of six players to retain their place from last week’s non-Test win over the Barbarians in Brive.
Seilala Mapusua’s side starts their World Cup campaign against Chile on September 16 and also plays Argentina, Japan and England in Pool D.
Samoa: 15 Duncan Paia’aua, 14 Ed Fidow, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Nigel Ah Wong, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Theo McFarland, 4 Chris Vui (co-captain), 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Seilala Lam, 1 James Lay.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Michael Alaalatoa (co-captain), 19 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Neria Foma’i.
Date: Saturday, August 26
Venue: Stade Jean-Dauger, Bayonne
Kick-off: 20.45 (19.45 UK & Ireland time; 18.45 GMT; 07.45 Sunday, August 27 WST)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)
