Samoa v Chile - Teams and Prediction
WORLD CUP, ROUND TWO: Samoa fullback Duncan Paia’aua said his side are “fired up” to start their World Cup campaign against Chile on Saturday.
The Pacific Islanders begin their tournament in Bordeaux with hosts France among 16 outfits to have played last weekend.
Les Bleus, New Zealand as well as Namibia will have featured twice before Samoa take the field on the Atlantic coast.
“The boys are very eager, they really want to play,” Paia’aua told AFP.
“Come Saturday all the boys will be fired up,” he added.
The South Americans played their first match at a World Cup last Saturday, losing heavily to Japan despite flyhalf Rodrigo Fernandez opening the scoring after just six minutes against the quarterfinalists in 2019.
“I saw the way they played last week and I was really impressed,” Paia’aua said.
“They’re a physical team and have a few threats,” he added.
Put down a marker
In the build-up to the World Cup, Samoa have been boosted by the inclusion of the likes of All Black Lima Sopoaga and Wallaby Christian Leali’ifano, benefitting from a World Rugby rule change on eligibility to represent a second country.
Toulon’s Paia’aua is one of 11 members of their squad contracted with a French club giving Seilala Mapusua’s side an upper hand on Chile’s mainly South American-based players.
“We have new players, more experience coming from other players that have played Tier One,” 28-year-old Paia’aua said.
“We’re used to the atmosphere in France and how passionate the French are.
“The boys that don’t play in France can get behind it too, they’re going to love it and soak it all in,” he added.
Samoa have lost twice once in their last five games, most recently being August 26’s narrow loss to world No.1 side Ireland.
“They’ve played a lot during the warm-ups, it means they will be well coordinated and comfortable,” Chile coach Pablo Lemoine said.
“They will be fresh but also nervous, a bit like we experienced last weekend.
“They have experienced players but playing at a World Cup is emotional for everyone,” the former Uruguay prop added.
As well as Los Condores, Samoa face Argentina, Japan and England in their group, with an ambitious objective in mind despite having failed to reach the knockout stages since 1999.
“It’s to get out of the pool and get into the quarters but the ultimate goal is to win the World Cup,” Paia’aua said.
“We’re not here to make up the numbers.
“We’re not here just to give up, we’re here to put down a marker and put Samoan rugby on the map,” he added.
Prediction
@rugby365com: Samoa by 26 points.
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Duncan Paia’aua, 14 Danny Toala, 13 Ulupano Junior Seuteni, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Nigel Ah-Wong, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Theo McFarland, 4 Chris Vui, 3 Michael Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Seilala Lam, 1 James Lay.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Sam Slade, 20 Sa Jordan Taufua, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Ed Fidow.
Chile: 15 Inaki Ayarza, 14 Santiago Videla, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 12 Matias Garafulic, 11 José Ignacio Larenas, 10 Rodrigo Fernandez, 9 Marcelo Torrealba, 8 Raimundo Martínez, 7 Clemente Saavedra, 6 Martín Sigren (captain), 5 Santiago Pedrero, 4 Pablo Huete, 3 Matias Dittus, 2 Tomas Dussaillant, 1 Javier Carrasco.
Replacements: 16 Diego Escobar, 17 Salvador Lues, 18 Esteban Inostroza, 19 Javier Eissmann, 20 Alfonso Escobar, 21 Ignacio Silva, 22 Benjamin Videla, 23 Pablo Casas.
Date: Saturday, September 16
Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT; 10.00 CLST; 02.00 Sunday, September 17 WST)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
