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Census ends retirement to face NZ

By
Monday 6 Jul 2015

Samoa have called veteran prop Census Johnston out of retirement to bolster their pack in Wednesday's historic one-off Test against the All Blacks in Apia.

"We simply couldn't leave him out," coach Stephan Betham said when naming his team on Monday.

The 34-year-old Toulouse prop, who has played 47 Tests for Samoa since 2005, had announced his retirement in April – but has been training with the Samoa squad in recent weeks.

Chiefs fullback Tim Nanai Williams is the only uncapped player in the starting 15.

Outside back Faialaga Afamasaga, the only Samoa-based member of the squad, is set to make his debut off the bench.

Census ends retirement to face NZNew Zealand-born Nanai Williams, a cousin of All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams, has previously represented New Zealand as a Sevens player, but switched allegiance to his parents' home country last year to boost his World Cup and Olympic prospects.

All but five members of the 23-man Samoa squad are based in Europe – including captain and back row forward Ofisa Treviranus, who plays for London Irish.

The match will be the first appearance in Samoa by the All Blacks, who have won all five previous Tests between the two countries played in New Zealand.

Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai Williams (Chiefs), 14 Alofa Alofa (La Rochelle), 13 Paul Perez (Sharks, South Africa), 12 Johnny Leota (Sale Sharks), 11 Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle), 10 Tusi Pisi (Suntory), 9 Kahn Fotuali'i (Northampton), 8 Ofisa Treviranus (captain, London Irish), 7 Jack Lam (Bristol), 6 Alafoti Fa'osiliva (Bath), 5 Kane Thompson (Newcastle Falcons), 4 Teofilo Paulo (Cardiff Blues), 3 Census Johnston (unattached), 2 Wayne ole Avei (Bordeaux), 1 Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Francais).

Replacements: 16 Ma'atulimanu Leiataua (Aurillac), 17 Viliamu Afatia (Agen), 18 Anthony Perenise (Bristol), 19 Iosefa Tekori (Toulouse), 20 Maurie Fa'asavalu (Oyonnax), 21 Pele Cowley (Auckland), 22 Faialaga Afamasaga (Samoa A), 23 Ken Pisi (Northampton).

Date: Wednesday, July 8

Venue: Apia Park, Apia

Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 NZ time, 02.00 GMT)

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

Agence France-Presse

Census ends retirement to face NZ

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