Injuries to key players have forced four changes in the Samoa XV to take on France at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Stade Français centre Paul Williams is out with a fractured cheek bone and is replaced by Sale Sharks' Johnny Leota, who wins his fourth cap.
Full-back Faatoina Autagavaia misses out with a broken bone in his left hand with his place going to 20-year-old Robert Lilomaiava, who gets a second cap.
In the pack, Castres lock Joe Tekori takes over from Dan Leo, who has a knee injury, while Clermont's Ti'i Paulo is preferred at hooker for Ole Avei.
"We have got injuries to some key players which is unfortunate," said coach Stephen Betham.
"But we cannot face up to a team like France with players who are only 70 or 80 percent fit. We need to field players who are 100 percent fit and who can give their all."
Samoa: 15 Robert Lilomaiava, 14 Paul Perez, 13 George Pisi, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 David Lemi (capt), 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Joe Tekori, 4 Filo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Villiamu Afatia, 18 James Johnston, 19 Faatiga Lemalu, 20 Tivaini Fomai, 21 Jeremy Su'a, 22 Ki Anufe, 23 Reupena Levasa.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 20.00 local (19.00 GMT)
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Comments
side_stepper says...
I've always rated Timoteo Iosua at fullback..I wonder where he is?
Anyway, Samoa has done the Pacific proud and as long as a Pacific team plays well, I'll be happy.
Loloma from Bula Land - Fiji.
Posted 06:45 23rd November 2012
flash says...
Its a massive ask for this test as we all know France is a superpower in rugby and Samoa is such a tiny almost unbeknown remote islands in the South
Pacific.
However, I bet my top dollars Samoa will slay the giant inside his own house this weekend :)
Posted 21:36 22nd November 2012
swells07 says...
cont. lol ...that and strong set piece play. taulafo is such a beast! i'm a big fan of him...and tuifua...that dude is a MONSTER! watch out picamoles!! very much looking forward to the clash of the packs...lets go manu!!
Posted 20:25 22nd November 2012
swells07 says...
the injuries are unfortunate but yeah i agree with you @sonsofsamoa the smart play from pairing at the halves will be the decider for samoa...go the manu!! i believe in you guys...much love from a tongan brother.
Posted 20:20 22nd November 2012
sonsofsamoa says...
Hmmm.. Robert Lilomaiava 15?? .. It will be a big task for him.. It will either make or break this team.. France will look to exploit this.. But I'm going to have faith in him.. This is where we are weak in depth at Full back.. With all first second and third options not available, James So'oialo out suspended with Paul WIlliams and Fa'atoina Autagavaia both out injured.. (What about Sailosi Tagicakibau?) But I'm looking forward to see Johnny Leota at 12 cause he really impressed me when he came off the bench and filled in at inside centre.. And I've always preferred Joe Tekori to start but he's never been given the oppurtunity? (Maybe because he''s not really a jumper?) But his general play is awesome!.. As long as Tusi Pisi and Kahn Fotuali'i control the game with the forwards doing their part in the set pieces.. I don't see why Samoa can't give France a run for their money!! All the best Manu Samoa!!!
Posted 19:41 22nd November 2012
firepower says...
I SMELL AN UPSET HERE. GO SAMOA!!
Posted 19:25 22nd November 2012