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Samoa make nine changes to their team to take on England
By Liam Heagney
Samoa have made nine changes to their team to play England this Saturday in Lille following last week’s Rugby World Cup pool loss to Japan.
The Samoans, who lost winger Ben Lam to a red card, went down 22-28 to Japan in Toulouse and they have reacted by ringing five changes to their pack and four more in their backline.
Their forwards feature an all-new front row consisting of Jordan Lay, Sama Malolo and captain Michael Alaalatoa and a new second row of Sam Slade and Brian Alainu’u’ese.
Bristol’s Steven Luatua and Saracens’ Theo McFarland, who formed the lock partnership the last day, will now pack down at No8 and No6 respectively with Fritz Lee continuing at openside.
At out-half, Lima Sopoaga is chosen ahead of the benched Christian Leali'ifano.
Samoa (vs England, Saturday – Lille, 5:45pm local time)
1. Jordan Lay
2. Sama Malolo
3. Michael Alaalatoa (capt)
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
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Latest Comments
Hey Finn, Well done to the Junior Wallabies…a win is a win but it was a wet and scrappy game. Would be interesting to hear your opinion on two things from watching the game at the Not So Sunny Coast Stadium. Firstly, what is your opinion on the rule change of being able to call The Mark from a kick off and what is the reason for the change? Secondly, your thoughts on the lack of action for the high tackle on the SA fullback. I understand the TMO ruled that he had fallen into the tackle and the tackler didn’t have time to adjust but it was clearly shoulder on head and the Aussie 11 had not made any attempt to adjust his tackle height leading into the tackle. In my opinion he was never going to get his tackle technique correct to complete a safe tackle. If that tackle was made at a more senior and more scrutinised level would we have seen the same result?
Go to commentsI don’t think this has been ventilated enough. Discuss. Perhaps the lesson in all of this is that, in the game of life, one should do all the talking on the field of play. And in the game of rugby, what’s said on the field - stays on the field. Take care of yourselves. And each other.
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