Samoa hand Ben Lam a start in tweaked side for crucial Rugby World Cup clash with Argentina

Adam Kyriacou
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Ben Lam in action for Hurricanes.

Ben Lam in action for Hurricanes.

Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua has made three changes in personnel for their vital Rugby World Cup match against Argentina in Saint-Etienne on Friday.

The islanders and South Americans know this is a must-win game in terms of securing a spot in the knockout stages, with Los Pumas in win-or-bust territory.

For Samoa they enter the match on the back of a 43-10 bonus-point win over Chile while Argentina haven’t played since their opening round loss to England.

One change to backline

Mapusua has made just one tweak to his backline from the victory against Chile as Ben Lam comes into the starting line-up on the wing in place of Danny Toala. Nigel Ah-Wong remains in the side but has switched from the left wing to the right as Lam will wear the number 11 shirt for the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard clash.

Elsewhere, Duncan Paia’aua continues at full-back while Tumua Manu and UJ Seuteni are the centre combination who are vital to Samoa’s hopes of victory.

Jonathan Taumateine and Christian Leali’ifano remain the half-back duo, with the latter having contributed 16 points off the kicking tee in the Chile result.

There are two changes in personnel in the forwards as Paul Alo-Emile comes in at tighthead in place of captain Michael Alaalatoa who drops to bench duty.

Taleni Seu has also been included amongst the replacements as Brian Alainu’u’ese gets a start at lock, with Theo McFarland shifting back to the blindside.

There’s also a spot on the bench for former All Black Charlie Faumuina while Sa Jordan Taufua continues his role as impact player in strong pack options.

Mapusua has three new backs on the pine this Friday as Melani Matavao, D’Angelo Leuila and Toala replace Ereatara Enari, Lima Sopoaga and Ed Fidow.

Samoa team v Los Pumas

Samoa: 15 Duncan Paia’aua, 14 Nigel Ah-Wong, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Chris Vui (c), 4 Brian Alainu’u’ese, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Seilala Lam, 1 James Lay
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Sa Jordan Taufua, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 D’Angelo Leuila, 23 Danny Toala

Date: Friday, September 22
Venue: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Kick-off: 17:45 local (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

READ MORE: England hero George Ford dropped to the bench for next Rugby World Cup encounter – report

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