Former Wallaby and All Black set to debut for Manu Samoa against Japan

Manu Samoa will kick off their Rugby World Cup preparations against the Brave Blossoms on Saturday and head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua has handed out two debuts in his starting XV with a possible three more on the bench.

Christian Leali’ifano starts at fly-half and will be joined by Jonathan Taumateine in the half-back pairing. Talented La Rochelle star Ulupano Seuteni starts in the 13 jumper alongside Duncan Paia’aua in the midfield.

Behind them, Moana Pasifika’s Danny Toala is at full-back with wings Neria Foma’i and Tumua Manu completing the back-three.

Number eight So’otala Fa’aso’o earns his Test debut for Samoa whilst Alamanda Motuga and Taleni Seu start on the flanks. Michael Curry and Brian Alainu’uese make up the second-row.

Tighthead Paul Alo-Emile captains the side from the front-row with hooker Luteru Tolai and Jordan Lay rounding out the front-row.

Former All Black could debut

On the bench, 50 cap All Black Charlie Faumuina is set to debut for Samoa with Miracle Fai’ilagi and Martini Talapusi also set to taste Test rugby for the first time.

Head coach Mapusua is looking forward to the match against Japan and believes it will be a great game as the sides will meet in the World Cup.

“I am really looking forward to that game as we are in the same pool at the Rugby World Cup,” he said. “It will be a good test for us to see where we are at and what we will need to be doing to be ready for France.

“What I am looking forward to for those guys is to bring the wealth of knowledge and experience they have with them on top of their capabilities as players.

The coach is also delighted to have some additional players to call on with loads of experience in Leali’ifano and Faumuina.

“Having that experience and the rugby IQ is going to be really really big for our squad as a whole,” he said. “Very happy with the squad we have selected and it was not easy.

“It is highly competitive. Probably the hardest squad I have selected, just really good competition for places. Rugby games are never won on paper. While it is a great squad, we have got a lot of work to do. I am really excited with this group, with really good skills across all positions.”

The line-up

Manu Samoa: 15 Danny Toala, 14 Neria Foma’i, 13 Ulupano Seuteni, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Tumua Manu, 10 Christan Leali’iafano, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Michael Curry, 4 Brian Alainu’uese, 3 Paul Alo-Emile (c), 2 Luteru Tolai, 1 Jordan Lay
Replacements: 16 Ray Nivia, 17 Tietie Tuimauga, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Genesis Mamea-Lemalu, 20 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Martini Talapusi, 23 Ed Fidow

Date: Saturday, July 20
Venue: Sapporo Dome, Japan
Kick-off: 14:50 local (06:50 BST, 05:50 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (Australia), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

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