Manu Samoa debutants Lalomilo Lalomilo and Tuna Tuitama have been given the nod to start against the Flying Fijians in the Pacific Nations Cup at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji Friday night.
The management has named the strongest possible line-up against Fiji. The PNC holds importance for Manu Samoa as they need to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The task has been made easier with three spots up for grabs. Fiji and Japan have already qualified.
“Preparations are going well and getting ready for Game Day. We are staying at Novotel at Lami Bay in Suva,” said manager Su’a Hesed Ieremia.
Two other debutants Brook Toomalatai and Jonah Mau’u have been named on the bench.
Head coach, Mase Mahonri Schwalger has named Aki Seiuli, Andrew Tuala and Marco Fepuleai as the front three. Benjamin Petaia Nee-nee and Samuel Slade will start as the lock fowards.
Captain Theo McFarland is on the blindside flank with Murphy Taramai on the openside.
Olajuwon Noa is at number eight. Nippy halfback Melani Matavao gets the nod to start and Alai D’Angelo Leuila has been given the flyhalf role.
Pisi Leilua starts as the blindside wing Lalomilo Lalomilo and Alapati Leiua taking control of the midfield. Tuna Tuitama is the openside wing while Tomasi Alosio has fullback duties.
Sama Malolo, Tietie Tuimauga, Brook Toomalatai, Senio Toleafoa, Jonah Mau’u, Danny Tusitala, Afa Moleli, and Stacey Ili will be on the bench.
PNC started in 2006. Fiji has won the top title six times, Manu Samoa four, while Tonga is still chasing their maiden title, although they had finished runners-up twice in 2011 and 2017.
World Rugby has decided to expand the competition this year to six teams, with a pool for the three Pasifika teams and the second pool made up of Japan, Canada and the United States.
The teams will play their pool games in a round-robin format, with the two pools then playing across for the play-offs.
That ensures more game time for the teams and a chance to test themselves against each other for rankings.
It also gives the teams, apart from Fiji and Japan, the opportunity to start building for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with qualifiers scheduled for 2025.
The Manu Samoa and Flying Fijians match kicks off at 6 pm (Samoa time 7pm)
Meanwhile, World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the opening round of Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 this weekend.
Samoa will break back into the top 10 of the rankings for the first time since July 2023 if they beat Fiji by more than 15 points in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 opener in Suva.
The one week Samoa spent there at the end of that month remains the only time they have occupied a spot inside the top 10 since the end of Rugby World Cup 2015.
Victory by a lesser margin – or a draw – would see them move up one place to 12th at the expense of Georgia.
Fiji, meanwhile, will drop by a couple of places to 12th in the event of a heavy defeat.
With less than half a point available to them in victory, Fiji are not able to catch any of the teams above them and will remain in 10th if they avoid defeat.
Japan are in the same situation with no improvement on 14th place possible even if they beat hosts Canada by more than 15 points with only a gain of 0.49 rating points possible.
The Brave Blossoms will slip below Portugal if beaten with Canada climbing above Romania into 20th place in victory.
Fiji is currently 10th in the latest rankings. Top 10 countries- South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, France, England, Argentina, Scotland, Italy, Australia, Fiji.
