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Samoa ring the changes for crunch Pacific Nations Cup match vs Tonga
By Jon Newcombe
Head coach Mahonri Schwalger has made six personnel changes and one positional to last weekend's starting XV as Samoa look to sign off their centennial celebrations as a test-playing nation with a victory against Tonga.
Samoa, who are defending a 44-year unbeaten record against Tonga at Apia Park, need to win to keep their Pacific Nations Cup title hopes alive after they were beaten 42-16 by Fiji in the competition's curtain raiser.
The four changes to the pack include a first Test start for New Zealand club player, No.8 Iakopo Petelo Mapu.
Hooker Sama Malolo and tight-head Tietie Tuimauga are the new additions to the front row and Izaiha Moore-Aiono comes into the XV at openside.
In the backs, Afa Moleli is promoted from the bench to play full-back, which results in Tomasi Alosio shifting to the left wing, while the other change comes at outside-centre, where Stacey Ili is preferred to last week's debutant, Lalomilo Lalomilo. Lalomilo has to settle for a place on the bench.
Former Brumbies fly-half, Rodney Iona, now with NOLA Gold in the MLR, returns to test rugby nearly two years after his last appearance, a 49-17 defeat to Italy in November 2022.
The recently-turned 33-year-old will win just his eighth cap if he comes on, having made his debut in 2018.
SAMOA:
1. Aki Seiuli
2. Sama Malolo
3. Tietie Tuimauga
4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee
5. Samuel Slade
6. Theo McFarland (capt)
7. Izaiha Moore-Aiono
8. Iakopo Petelo Mapu
9. Melani Matavao
10. Alai D'Angelo Leuila
11. Tomasi Alosio
12. Alapati Leiua
13. Stacey Ili
14. Tuna Tuitama
15. Afa Moleli
Replacements:
16. Luteru Tolai
17. Andrew Tuala
18. Brook Toomalatai
19. Michael Curry
20. Jonah Mau'u
21. Danny Tusitala
22. Rodney Iona
23. Lalomilo Lalomilo
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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