Samoa unveil Bok-beating formula
Samoa coach Titimaea Tafua on Wednesday announced two changes to his starting line-up to face South Africa in their crucial final World Cup Pool D game in Auckland on Saturday.
David Lemi, who has not played a World Cup match since 2007, comes in to replace Sailosi Tagicakibau at right wing and Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu takes over at inside centre from Seilala Mapusua who will play outside him in the No.13 jersey.
Apart from Lemi, Samoa have included two other players previously unused at this World Cup in their 22-man squad – hooker Ole Avei and prop Logovi’i Mulipola.
Left wing Alesana Tuilagi and No.8 George Stowers have played the maximum 240 minutes in their first three matches of Samoa’s World Cup campaign.
The Samoans will look to their impressive halfback combination of Crusaders scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali’i and flyhalf Tusi Pisi to dictate matters behind their physical pack, but they will have their work cut out for them against the unbeaten Springboks.
The Pacific Islanders need to beat the defending champions to go through to the quarterfinals or at least grab a bonus point and hope that Fiji beat Wales in the other pool game on Sunday.
Samoa: 15 Paul Williams, 14 David Lemi, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Faasavalu, 6 Taiasina Tuifua, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (captain), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Logovi’i Mulipola, 19 Ofisa Treviranus, 20 Filipo Lavea Levi, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 George Pisi.
Date: Friday, September 30
Kick-off: 20.30 (07.30 GMT)
Venue: North Harbour Stadium, North Shore
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Stuart Terheege (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
