Samoa head into crunch Rugby World Cup qualifier with rookie team

Injuries, suspensions and player unavailability mean a rookie 15 will take to the field in Viña del Mar this Saturday for Samoa’s winner-takes-all RWC 2027 qualifier vs Chile.

Samoa’s starting XV totals less than 100 caps (93) and includes three forwards making their first Test starts, and there are also three debutants on the bench.

Captain Michael Alaalato’a has returned to club duty with Clermont, resulting in Bradley So’o Amituanai winning just his fourth cap at tight-head.

With Alaalato’a absent, head coach Tusi Pisi has elected to go for co-captains in the shape of the team’s most experienced player – 14-cap lock Benjamin Pewtaia Nee-Nee and flanker Alamanda Motuga.

Five changes have been made in total to the XV that took to the field for last week’s 32-32 draw against Los Condores.

Like Amituanai, Jarred Adams makes his first Test start on the other side of the scrum, while the third change to the pack comes at No.8, where Abrahim Papali’i is another new starter.

In the backs, Christian Leali’ifano is unavailable, so Martin Talapusi steps into the breach at fly-half for his first Test start at the age of 30. At the same time, Tomasi Alosio comes into the XV on the right wing.

Winger Tuna Tuitama and flanker Taleni Sau are still serving suspensions for the red cards that they received during the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup.

The match will be shown live in North and South America on Disney+ and on RugbyPass TV in all other territories.

The winner will become the 23rd team to qualify for the RWC 2027, with the loser participating in the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai in November.

Manu Samoa team vs Chile:

1 Jarred Adams
2 Pita Anae Ah Sue
3 Bradley So’o Amituanai
4 Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee (CC)
5 Michael Curry
6 Olajuwon Noa
7 Alamanda Motuga (CC)
8 Abraham Papali’i
9 Connor Tupa’i
10 Martini Talapusi
11 Latrell Ah Kiong
12 Theodore Steffany
13 Melani Nanai
14 Tomasi Alosio
15 Lolagi Visinia

Replacements
16 Ray Niuia
17 Ivan Fepulea’i*
18 Herman Huch*
19 Potu Leavasa
20 Jonah Mau’u
21 Rilloy Suesue*
22 Afa Moleli
23 Elisapeta Alofipo

*Test debut