Samoa change five for must-win Japan match
Thursday 1 October 2015 15:50, UK
Samoa have made five changes to their line-up for Saturday's World Cup match with Japan at Milton Keynes.
Sale Sharks centre Johnny Leota, fly-half Tusi Pisi, Hurricanes No 8 Fafili Levave, Newcastle lock Kane Thompson and Bordeaux-Begles prop Ole Avei come into the side for a match which both teams need to win to stay in contention for a quarter-final place.
Lock Thompson has served his two-match ban for striking Saia Fainga'a in Samoa's match against the Barbarians in late August.
After opening victories, both sides have been brought crashing back down to earth. Japan's euphoria at stunning South Africa 34-32 was checked when they went down to Scotland four days later, while Samoa saw off the United States only to then feel the full force of a Springboks backlash.
Samoa and Japan, ranked 11 and 12 in the world respectively, have four points from two matches in Pool B, three behind South Africa and six behind the Scots.
"Our backs are against the wall now and it will be all hands on deck for this game against Japan," Samoa coach Stephen Betham said.
"We're treating it like a World Cup final in our eyes. Japan are not to be taken likely," said Samoa centre George Pisi, whose brother Tusu needs 17 points to overtake Earl Va'a (174) as Samoa's highest-scoring Test player.
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 1 Sakaria Taulafo, 2 Ole Avei, 3 Census Johnston, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 5 Kane Thompson, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Faifili Levave;
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Jack Lam, 20 Vavae Tuilagi, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Mike Stanley, 23 Rey Lee-Lo
