One change for high-flying Samoa
There is only one change to the Samoan side that beat Scotland last weekend when they face Italy in Nelspruit on Saturday.
The change comes in the frontrow as Sakaria Taulafo comes into the loose head prop position in the place of Logovii Mulipola – who shifts the bench.
The Samoans victory over the Scots was the first in their history and they looked like a completely different side to the one that was beaten by the Golden Lions the week before.
Two of the most impressive players in the Samoan side were their two Super Rugby debutants – Alapati Leiua and Jack Lam. These two players showed their class as Leiua made metres with ball in hand and Lam was a menace on the ball at the breakdown.
The major test this weekend is going to be at scrum-time. The Italian scrum gave the South African scrum a bit of a runaround last weekend and the the Samoans are going to be focused on holding their own at the scrum which will help them open it up for their exciting backs.
Samoa: 15 James Sooialo, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Paul Williams (captain), 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Jeremy Sua, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Wayne Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Logovii Mulipola, 18 James Johnston, 19 Kane Thompson, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Brando Vaaulu, 22 Seilala Mapusua, 23 Piula Faasalele.
Date: Saturday, 15 June
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 14.15 (12.15 GMT; 08.15 Sunday, June 16 Samoan time)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Tiaan Jonker (South Africa)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)
