Samoa name strong line-up

Samoa coach Fuimaono Titmaea Tafua has named a strong line-up for the one-off Test with Australia on Sunday.

Pacific Islanders ready to tackle the Wallabies

Samoa coach Fuimaono Titmaea Tafua has named a strong line-up for the one-off Test with Australia on Sunday. Samoa suffered a 29-9 defeat to Tonga on Wednesday in Pacific Nations Cup, however 15 players missed that clash to train in Sydney ahead of facing the Wallabies. And although Tafua claims he will use the games against Australia and Western Force to assess his squad ahead of the World Cup, he has included a number of his star players for the clash at the ANZ Stadium. "The defeat by Tonga will not affect the team's preparations against the Wallabies in the weekend," Tafua said. "Manu Samoa's preparations for PNC, the test against Australia and two home fixtures against Western Force is all part of the selection for a Rugby World Cup team for Samoa. "There will be a slight change to this weekend's selection, but so far preparations for the Wallabies Test is all good and we look forward to the test this weekend." Five members of the Samoa squad will be well-known to Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, having played under him when he was in charge of the Crusaders. Sakaria Taulafo, Tusi Pisi, Paul Williams, Kahn Fotuali'i and Tii Paulo were all at the Canterbury franchise during Deans' eight-year reign. Samoa: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13 George Pisi, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 6 Taisina Tuifu'a, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Kane Thompson, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (c), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: Tii Paulo, Census Johnston, Filipo Lavea Levi, Manaia Salavea, Brenton Helleur, Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, James So'oialo.