Lima Sopoaga and Ben Lam make their Manu Samoa debut when they take on the Barbarians in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Manu Samoa Head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua has named Melani Matavao to pair with Sopoaga as the halfback and flyhalf combination. This is also Matavao’s first start for Manu Samoa this year.
Jordon Lay, Seilala Lam and captain Michael Ala’alatoa make up the front three with Brian Alainu’uese and Theodore McFarland as locks. Alamanda Motuga and Steven Luatua are on the flanks with So’otala Fa’aso’o at number eight.
Tumua Manu and Neria Foma’i are in the centres with Nigel Ah Wong and Ben Lam on the wing. Danny Toala starts at fullback.
The Manu Samoa bench is a strong one as well, with Luteru Tolai, James Lay, Paul Alo-Emile, Chris Vui, Sa Jordon Taufua, Ereatara Enari, Christian Leali’ifano and Ed Fidow.
The match kicks off at 7.45 am (Samoa Time) this coming Saturday at Stade Amédée-Domenech in France.
SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS
