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Samoa's 37-year-old flyhalf Pisi returns to chase second upset win over Wallabies
By Online Editors
The man who orchestrated one of Australia's most grim Test rugby defeats will return to haunt them after Tusi Pisi was named Samoan five-eighth for Saturday's Test in Sydney.
Evergreen five-eighth Pisi is the only Manu Samoa survivor from the team who stunned a largely second-string Wallabies team 32-23 in 2011.
Not only that, he was a central cog at the Sydney Football Stadium, playing a part in two of their four tries and landing 12 points with the boot.
The Japan-based 37-year-old missed Samoa's Pacific Nations Cup campaign but is set to be a pivotal figure at the World Cup.
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He is one of 10 players in the starting XV who have experience playing in a New Zealand Super Rugby team, with all but Hurricanes lock Kane Leaupepe and Crusaders prop Michael Alaalatoa having since moved on to play in Europe.
There are five past or present Hurricanes, including captain Jack Lam and the accomplished midfield pairing of Alapati Leiua and Rey Lee-Lo and former hitman Motu Matu'u.
It will be a Test debut for Alaalatoa, who scored two tries in last week's win over a New Zealand Heartland amateur team.
Alaalatoa has been denied the chance to pack down against brother and Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa, who is being rested this week.
SAMOA: Tim Nanai-Williams, Belgium Tuatagaloa, Alapati Leiua, Reynold Lee-Lo, Ed Fidow, Tusi Pisi, Scott Malolua, Afaesetiti Amosa, Jack Lam (capt), TJ Ioane, Kane Leaupepe, Teofilo Paulo, Michael Alaalatoa, Ray Niuia, Jordan Lay. Res: Motu Matu'u, Paul Alo-Emile, Logovi'i Mulipola, Josh Tyrell, Seilala Lam, Dwayne Polataivao, AJ Alatimu, Ah See Tuala.
-AAP
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Latest Comments
Brumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
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