Samoa name one new cap as Pacific Nations Cup title goes on the line
Samoa have made a flurry of changes to their match day team to face Fiji as the Pacific Nations Cup goes on the line this weekend.
Leading the tournament with two wins from as many games heading into the final round of action, Samoa are in pole position to claim their first Pacific Nations Cup title since 2014.
After upsetting Australia A in the opening match of the competition, Samoa overturned an 18-3 deficit to score 31 unanswered points and beat Tonga at Churchill Park last weekend.
That means Manu Samoa sit atop the Pacific Nations Cup standings heading into their clash with the Flying Fijians against the hosts in Lautoka on Saturday, a match they must win to ensure their silverware drought ends.
With that in mind, head coach Seilala Mapusua has made seven personnel changes and multiple positional switches to his starting team for the Fijian fixture.
Arguably the most notable change comes in the reserves, where Moana Pasifika prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth is in line for his test debut after coming into the squad as a late call-up.
Lindenmuth fills in the No 17 jersey in place of Aki Seiuli, the one-test Dragons prop who has been promoted from the bench to join captain Michael Alaalatoa and last week’s hat-trick hero Ray Niuia in the front row.
Together, they form a new-look tight five that also features locks Chris Vui and Theo McFarland, the latter of whom has moved into the second row from blindside flanker.
McFarland’s place in the No 6 jersey has been taken by Sharks flanker Olajuwon Noa, whose inclusion in the back row is part of an overhauled loose forward trio.
Injury has forced Manu Samoa veteran Jack Lam out of the match day squad, resulting in a move from No 8 to openside flanker for former All Blacks squad member Jordan Taufua.
The vacancy at No 8 has been taken by ex-All Blacks Sevens player Fritz Lee, who joined Taufua and Seiuli in making his test debut for Samoa last week.
In the backline, Moana Pasifika halfback Ereatara Enari – who will make his first test appearance after making his Samoa debut against Australia A – will resume his halves partnership with Brumbies first-five Rodney Iona.
Enari and Ioane replace Jonathan Taumateine and AJ Alatimu, respectively, with the former dropping to the bench at the expense of Auvasa Faleali’i.
The return of Moana Pasifika playmaker D’Angelo Leuila to the starting lineup has instigated a reshuffle out wide, where last week’s try-scoring debutant Tumua Manu has been pushed from second-five to centre in order to accomodate Leuila.
As such, last week’s centre Neria Foma’i moves to the right wing in place of recent Major League Rugby title-winner Ed Fidow.
Foma’i joins test rookies Nigel Ah Wong and Danny Toala, both of whom have kept their respective places at left wing and fullback, in Manu Samoa’s outside backs.
Moana Pasifika midfielder Henry Taefu and new Benetton loose forward Henry Time-Stowers, meanwhile, are the only other additions to the bench alongside Lindenmuth, Lam and Taumateine.
All five of those players accompany Seilala Lam, Kalolo Tuiloma, Michael Curry and Lolagi Visinia – the latter two of whom made their test debuts against Tonga – in the reserves.
Kick-off for Saturday’s clash between Samoa and Fiji is scheduled for 3:30pm local time.
Manu Samoa team to play Fiji
1. Aki Seiuli
2. Ray Niuia
3. Michael Alaalatoa (c)
4. Theo McFarland
5. Chris Vui
6. Olajuwon Noa
7. Jordan Taufua
8. Fritz Lee
9. Ereatara Enari
10. Rodney Iona
11. Nigel Ah Wong
12. D’Angelo Leuila
13. Tumua Manu
14. Neria Foma’i
15. Danny Toala
Reserves:
16. Seilala Lam
17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth*
18. Kalolo Tuiloma
19. Michael Curry
20. Henry Time-Stowers
21. Jonathan Taumateine
22. Henry Taefu
23. Lolagi Visinia
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
30 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments