Pisi back at flyhalf for Samoa
The 33-year-old – who was dropped to the bench for the loss to South Africa with Mike Stanley replacing him – needs 17 points to overhaul Earl Va'a (174) as Samoa's highest-scoring test player.
Stanley, who had a poor game against South Africa, is on the bench for the Pool B game in Milton Keynes.
Pisi may have got the nod from coach Stephen Betham because he plays his club rugby in Japan for Suntory Sungoliath. However, on his only previous match against the Japanese he failed to score a point.
The Samoans – who like the Japanese have one win and one defeat so far – will start with their most-capped team ever at a World Cup, a total of 346 caps which edges out the 316 total Samoa's starting XV had in their final pool match against South Africa at the last World Cup.
Betham has made four other changes to the line-up that started against South Africa. Johnny Leota, Fafili Levave, Kane Thompson and Ole Avei are all named in the team.
Thompson plays for the first time at his third World Cup, having been banned for the first game against the United States and then was not selected for the Springbok match.
Exciting fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, Tusi's brother Ken Pisi, Paul Perez and Filo Paulo all start their third matches at this World Cup.
Samoa and Japan need a win from the game because they are six points adrift of table-toppers Scotland, on 10 points, with the Springboks second on seven.
The Scots and the 'Boks meet also on Saturday. The United States are bottom on zero points with two matches remaining.
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams; 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Failfili Levave, 7 TJ Ioane, 6 Ofisa Treviranus (captain), 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Jack Lam, 20 Vavae Tuilagi, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Mike Stanley, 23 Rey Lee-Lo.
Date: Saturday, October 3
Venue: Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
Kick-off: 14.30 (13.30 GMT; 03.30 Sunday, October 4, Samoan time; 22.30 Japan time)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Agence France-Presse
