Samoa change one for Wales
Samoa coach Fuimaono Tufua on Friday made one change to the starting XV that beat Namibia 49-12 for the Pool C clash with Wales in Hamilton on Sunday.
Ofisa Treviranus comes off the bench to replace Taiasina Tuifua at blindside flank, who drops to the bench. Also joining the reserves is uncapped Jeremy Sua.
Alesana Tuilagi, author of an impressive hat-trick against Namibia, returns at left wing and Tusi Pisi is also retained at flyhalf despite picking up a hamstring injury in the opener.
Coach Titimaea Tafua said that Pisi was not fully fit, but that the two days left before the match against the Welsh would leave him enough time to recover.
Tafua said that the Samoans were not regarding the game against Wales as their final, with a place in the last eight likely going to the winner, but lock Kane Thompson admitted that the sense of anticipation in the squad was high.
“We’re excited. It’s a huge game for us, but it’s like every game in this World Cup. Every game is a quarterfinal for us,” he said.
“We know if we’re going to progress in this tournamnet we have to win pretty much every game.”
Samoa: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13 George Pisi, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Faasavalu, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (captain), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Ti’i Paulo, 17 Census Johnston, 18 Joe Tekori, 19 Manaia Salavea, 20 Jeremy Sua, 21 Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono, 22 Tasesa Lavea.
Date: Sunday, September 18
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 15.30 (03.30 GMT)
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Jérôme Garces (France)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
AFP
