Veteran playmaker starts at 10 for Samoa’s Rugby World Cup clash with Chile

Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua has recalled veteran playmaker Christian Leali’ifano as one of three changes to his starting line-up for their Rugby World Cup opener against Chile in Bordeaux on Saturday.

Former Australia fly-half Leali’ifano comes into the run-on side at the expense of ex-New Zealand pivot Lima Sopoaga and will form a half-back partnership with Jonathan Taumateine.

Sopoaga started at fly-half in Samoa’s Rugby World Cup warm-up defeat to Ireland in Bayonne on August 26 while Leali’ifano was on the bench, but their roles have been reversed as the former All Black is amongst the replacements.

In the only other change to the backline, Moana Pasifika flyer Danny Toala comes into the run-on side on the right wing, where he replaces Ed Fidow.

Toala is joined in the back three by full-back Duncan Paia’aua, who scored a try in that loss to Ireland, and Nigel Ah-Wong, who starts on the left wing.

The backline is completed by the midfield combination of Ulupano Seuteni and Tumua Manu.

Michael Alaalatoa returns as captain

In the final alteration to the run-on side, Leinster’s Michael Alaalatoa comes in to pack down at tighthead prop and he will also captain the side against Los Conderos.

Alaalatoa is joined in the front-row by Seilala Lam, who starts at hooker and the loosehead prop James Lay, while Saracens’ Theo McFarland and Bristol Bears’ Chris Vui are the two locks.

Another Bristol player, Steven Luatua, gets the nod at number eight and he is joined in the back-row by Clermont Auvergne’s Fritz Lee and the Waratahs’ Taleni Seu.

There is plenty of experience on the bench with Sama Malolo, Jordan Lay, Paul Alo-Emile, Sam Slade and Jordan Taufua being the forward replacements, while Sopoaga, Ereatara Enari and Ed Fidow cover the backline.

The team

Samoa: 15 Duncan Paia’aua, 14 Danny Toala, 13 Ulupano Seuteni, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Nigel Ah-Wong, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Theo McFarland, 4 Chris Vui, 3 Michael Alaalatoa (c), 2 Seilala Lam, 1 James Lay
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Sam Slade, 20 Sa Jordan Taufua, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Ed Fidow

Date: Saturday, September 16
Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Kick-off: 14:00 local (13:00 BST, 12:00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

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