Preview - Fiji v Samoa
Crichton handed Test debut
Manu Samoa coach La'auli Michael Jones has named his side for Saturday's encounter with Fiji in Suva, handing Chiefs star Loki Crichton, 30, a long-awaited Test debut.
With the Pacific Five Nations spoils already in the possession of the Junior All Blacks, Jones has opted to experiment with a new-look side.
The side shows six changes and three positional switches from the XV that thumped Japan 53-9 last Saturday, with Crichton set to orchestrate proceedings from fly-half.
Tanner Vili has been moved back to fullback to cater for Crichton who is selected at No.10 due to his more physical presence in defence.
The impressive Timoteo Iosua, who starred at fullback scoring two tries last week has missed the team altogether, not even making the bench.
The biggest boost though is the return of powerful props Cencus Johnston and Justin Va'a, with Philemon Toleafoa demoted to the bench and Jeremy Tomuli left out. Both players have been sorely missed in the preceding games against Japan and the Junior All Blacks where Samoa has struggled in the set pieces, particularly the scrums.
Johnston arrived too late from France to play against Japan. He was part of the Biarritz team which won the French league championship. Va'a is based in England with Wasps.
John Senio comes back to the XV at halfback replacing Garrick Cowley after a strong performance against Japan where he came off the bench to score twice. He also scored against the Junior All Blacks.
Eliota Sapolu makes his Pacific Five Nations bow, replacing the injured Anitelea Tuilagi. He is reunited in the centres with Seilala Mapusua after appearing alongside him in the Northland game.
The other notable change is at lock where Pelu Taele-Pavihi, who has started every game so far, has been dropped for Auckland-based Chad Slade, who made his test debut last weekend against Japan.
Samoa-based Gasolo Salima is the only new player added, handed a place on the bench to cover the outside backs.
Meanwhile, Fiji coach Wayne Pivac delayed the announcement of his team citing injury worries to key players.
The teams:
Fiji: tba
Manu Samoa: 15 Tanner Vili, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Eliota Sapolu, 11 Brian Lima, 10 Loki Crichton, 9 John Senio, 8 Semo Sititi (captain), 7 Ulia Ulia, 6 Daniel Farani, 5 Chad Slade, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Philemon Toleafoa, 17 Muliufi Salenoa, 18 Isaac Feaunati, 19 Pelu Taele, 20 Garrick Cowley, 21 Douglas Sanft, 22 Gasolo Salima.
Date: Saturday, June 24
Kick-off: 15:00 (03:00 GMT)
Venue: Post Fiji Stadium, Suva
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assessor: Ian Scotney (Australia)
