October 8, 2015
Rugby World Cup Lineups: Samoa v Scotland
Doug Coil
October 10, 2015
Samoa v Scotland, Pool B, St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, Kick off 14:30 – 9:30am ET
Referee: Jaco Peyper Assistant Referee: JP Doyle, Marius Mitrea; TV Match Official: Ben Skeen
Samoa made seven changes from their loss to Japan in the backrow and in the centers. Rey Lee-Lo (12) and George Pisi (13) combine at center for the first time in a test, as do Maurie Fa’asavalu (6), Jack Lam (7) and Alafoti Fa’osiliva (8).
Scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i will captain the team, as back-rower Ofisa Treviranus was not included in the 23 man match roster. Manu Leiataua will make his Rugby World Cup debut at Hooker.
Fa’atoina Autagavaia will play on the left wing in place of the suspended Alesana Tuilagi. The 5 week suspension was felt to be unwarranted by many in the rugby community and is trending in social media.
Samoa will be fielding its second most experienced side at this World Cup with 324 test caps.
Scotland has made seven changes from the side that lost to South Africa. They are a young side averaging over 26 years and have 437 test caps.
Alasdair Dickinson, Gordon Reid, Ryan Wilson and John Hardie are forward changes. Backs changes include, Finn Russell, Sean Maitland and Mark Bennett.
If Sean Lamont enters the match, he will win his 100th test cap, only the second Scotland player in history to have achieved the milestone.
Samoa Ranked 15th: HC Stephen Betham Starters: 1. Sakari Taulafo 2. Ma’atulimanu Leiataua 3. Census Johnston 4. Teofilo Paulo 5. Kane Thompson 6. Maurie Faasavalu 7. Jack Lam 8. Alafoti Faosiliva 9. Kahn Fotuali’i (c) 10. Tusi Pisi 11. Fa’atoina Autagavaia 12. Rey Lee-Lo 13. George Pisi 14. Paul Perez 15. Tim Nanai-Williams Replacements: 16. Motu Matu’u 17. Viliamu Afatia 18. Anthony Perenise 19. Faifili Levave 20. Vavae Tuilagi 21. Vavao Afemai 22. Patrick Faapale 23. Ken Pisi
Scotland Ranked 9th: HC Vern Cotter Starters: 1 Alasdair Dickinson 2 Ross Ford 3 WP Nel 4 Richie Gray 5 Jonny Gray 6 Ryan Wilson 7 John Hardie 8 David Denton 9 Greig Laidlaw 10 Finn Russell 11 Tommy Seymour 12 Matt Scott 13 Mark Bennett 14 Sean Maitland 15 Stuart Hogg Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown 17 Gordon Reid 18 Jon Welsh 19 Tim Swinson 20 Josh Strauss 21 Henry Pyrgos 22 Pete Horne 23 Sean Lamont
