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Pacific Nations Cup

Samoa ring the changes for crunch Pacific Nations Cup match vs Tonga

By Jon Newcombe

114 days ago

Former Brumbies player Rodney Iona has been named on Samoa's bench for Friday's Pacific Nations Cup clash against Tonga (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Head coach Mahonri Schwalger has made six personnel changes and one positional to last weekend’s starting XV as Samoa look to sign off their centennial celebrations as a test-playing nation with a victory against Tonga.

Samoa, who are defending a 44-year unbeaten record against Tonga at Apia Park, need to win to keep their Pacific Nations Cup title hopes alive after they were beaten 42-16 by Fiji in the competition’s curtain raiser.

The four changes to the pack include a first Test start for New Zealand club player, No.8 Iakopo Petelo Mapu.

Hooker Sama Malolo and tight-head Tietie Tuimauga are the new additions to the front row and Izaiha Moore-Aiono comes into the XV at openside.

Pacific Nations Cup

Pool A

BP T

BP-7

Total

Fiji

Tonga

Samoa

Pool B

BP T

BP-7

Total

Japan

Canada

USA

In the backs, Afa Moleli is promoted from the bench to play full-back, which results in Tomasi Alosio shifting to the left wing, while the other change comes at outside-centre, where Stacey Ili is preferred to last week’s debutant, Lalomilo Lalomilo. Lalomilo has to settle for a place on the bench.

Former Brumbies fly-half, Rodney Iona, now with NOLA Gold in the MLR, returns to test rugby nearly two years after his last appearance, a 49-17 defeat to Italy in November 2022.

The recently-turned 33-year-old will win just his eighth cap if he comes on, having made his debut in 2018.

SAMOA:

1. Aki Seiuli
2. Sama Malolo
3. Tietie Tuimauga
4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee
5. Samuel Slade
6. Theo McFarland (capt)
7. Izaiha Moore-Aiono
8. Iakopo Petelo Mapu
9. Melani Matavao
10. Alai D’Angelo Leuila
11. Tomasi Alosio
12. Alapati Leiua
13. Stacey Ili
14. Tuna Tuitama
15. Afa Moleli

Replacements:
16. Luteru Tolai
17. Andrew Tuala
18. Brook Toomalatai
19. Michael Curry
20. Jonah Mau’u
21. Danny Tusitala
22. Rodney Iona
23. Lalomilo Lalomilo

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Comments on RugbyPass

ED 49 minutes ago

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This teamsheet is different to bears site and planet rugby.

1 Go to comments

Barry 1 hour ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 3 hours ago

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The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 7 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 7 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU