Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua has made nine changes to his starting XV from the team that lost 28-22 against Japan, with only Theo McFarland, Fritz Lee, Steven Luatua, Jonathan Taumateine, Tumua Manu and Duncan Paia’aua retaining their places.
Jonathan Taumateine will partner Lima Sopoaga in the halves for only the second time after they started alongside each other against Ireland in Bayonne in August.
Sama Malolo earns his second career start, and first at RWC 2023. Five of his six caps have come off the bench, only starting at hooker against Tonga in August this year.
There are two players in the match-day team who play their club rugby in England, with Steven Luatua at Bristol and Theo McFarland at Saracens.
There are only three survivors in the match-day team from the last time Samoa played England in 2017 – Jordan Lay, James Lay and Melani Matavao.
Fritz Lee, Theo McFarland and Christian Leali’ifano have played every minute of RWC 2023 for Samoa.
Samoa team
1 Jordan Lay
2 Sama Malolo
3 Michael Alaalatoa (c)
4 Sam Slade
5 Brian Alainu’u’ese
6 Theo McFarland
7 Fritz Lee
8 Steven Luatua
9 Jonathan Taumateine
10 Lima Sopoaga
11 Neria Fomai
12 Danny Toala
13 Tumua Manu
14 Nigel Ah-Wong
15 Duncan Paia’aua
Replacements:
16 Seilala Lam
17 James Lay
18 Paul Alo-Emile
19 Sootala Fa’aso’o
20 Alamanda Motuga
21 Melani Matavao
22 Christian Leali’ifano
23 Miracle Faiilagi
SOURCE: WORLD RUGBY/PACNEWS
