Samoa opt for continuity with strong team picked for Argentina

Head coach Seilala Mapusua has made just three changes to his Samoa team to play Argentina in Pool D in Saint-Étienne on Friday, with only two changes to his forwards and one change in his backs from the team that defeated Chile 43-10 in their last game.

Paul Alo-Emile comes into the front-row, Brian Alainu’u’ese into the second-row, while powerful winger Ben Lam joins out wide.

Chris Vui will captain the team for the 12th time in his career, and third time at the Rugby World Cup after their pool victory against Russia in 2019 and last week against Chile.

Bringing experience from other countries, Samoa have three players in the team who have played Test rugby elsewhere, with Steven Luatua and Charlie Faumuina earning 15 and 50 caps for the All Blacks respectively, while playmaker Christian Leali’ifano amassed 26 tests for the Wallabies.

Moana Pasifika is well represented with 5 of the Samoan players playing together for them in Super Rugby, Nigel Ah-Wong, Christian Leali’ifano, Jonathan Taumateine, Danny Toala, and Alai D’Angelo Leuila.

Fullback Duncan Paia’aua is the only player to have played every minute for Samoa this year across all five tests. He is currently on a three-game try-scoring run, after crossing just once across his first four tests for Samoa, while flanker Theo McFarland did not miss a tackle against Chile, completing all 14 attempts.

SAMOA TEAM TO PLAY ARGENTINA ON FRIDAY

1. James Lay

2 Seilala Lam

3 Paul Alo-Emile

4 Brian Alainu'u'ese

5 Chris Vui (c)

6 Theo McFarland

7 Fritz Lee

8 Steven Luatua

9 Jonathan Taumateine

10 Christian Leali'ifano

11 Ben Lam

12 Tumua Manu

13 Ulupano Junior Seuteni

14 Nigel Ah-Wong

15 Duncan Paia'aua

Replacements:

16 Sama Malolo

17 Charlie Faumuina

18 Michael Alaalatoa

19 Taleni Junior Agaese Seu

20 Sa Jordan Taufua

21 Melani Matavao

22 Alai D'Angelo Leuila

23 Danny Toala