Preview - Samoa v Junior ABs
Seven changes for Junior All Blacks
Junior All Blacks coaches Colin Cooper and Ian Foster have made seven changes from the XV that beat Fiji, naming a strong line-up for this Friday's IRB Pacific Five Nations match against Samoa in North Harbour.
Josh Blackie, Cameron McIntyre, Jamie Nutbrown, Saimone Taumoepeau and Anthony Tuitavake, who all started against Fiji, are on the bench for the match against Samoa, at North Harbour Stadium.
John Schwalger comes in for Taumoepeau at loosehead prop while Johnny Leo'o takes over at openside flanker from Blackie.
A new inside back pairing of Kevin Senio and Jimmy Gopperth has also been named while Sosene Anesi moves from fullback to left wing to make way for Ben Atiga. Caleb Ralph switches from left wing to centre with Tamati Ellison at second five-eighths. Viliame Waqaseduadua replaces Anthony Tuitavake on the right wing.
North Harbour lock Anthony Boric has been named in the reserves and could make his Junior All Blacks debut.
Junior All Blacks co-coach Colin Cooper said Samoa was a strong and physical side with pace throughout the backline.
"We realise the potential of Samoa and we've seen some of their players in action in the Rebel Sport Super 14. They are a proud rugby nation and we expect a good encounter," Cooper said.
Samoa: tba
Junior ABs: 15 Ben Atiga, 14 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 13 Caleb Ralph, 12 Tamati Ellison, 11 Sosene Anesi, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Kevin Senio, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Johnny Leo'o, 6 Steven Bates, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 John Afoa, 2 Corey Flynn (captain), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Saimone Taumoepeau, 17 Campbell Johnstone, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Josh Blackie, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Cameron McIntyre, 22 Anthony Tuitavake.
Date: Friday, June 9
Kick-off: 20:00 (08:00 GMT)
Venue: North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assessor: Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)
