Samoa v Namibia: Teams

Samoa plan to make maximum use of Tuilagi

Samoa aim to make full use of Alesana Tuilagi as they look to inflict maximum damage on Namibia in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.

The giant winger was impressive during Samoa's shock 32-23 triumph over Australia in July which saw them outscore the two-time world champions by four tries to two in Sydney.

And the Pacific Islanders plan to employ the same brand of running rugby against their African opponents in what promises to be an entertaining afternoon at the Rotorua International Stadium.

"We've got a few other things up our sleeves which you will see tomorrow," explained forwards coach Tom Coventry.

"One of the options is to get the ball to Alesana, but there's plenty of strike power in the rest of our team as well.

"Our plan is to use the width. We have a game plan that is pretty exciting and involves just about the whole XV."

Upset

The tactic however, comes as no surprise to Namibian coach Johan Diergaardt, who aims to have his side fully prepared to combat Samoa's expansive style.

Diergaardt said he will employ a different game plan on Wednesday to the one he used in Namibia's opening 49-25 defeat to Fiji.

"We'll try to keep ball in hand, slow down the rucks, starve them of the ball, not kick into their hands like we did (against Fiji)," he said. "We want to keep the ball away from them."

Namibian flanker Jacques Burger also knows that his side will have to be on their mettle if they hope to overcome the South Sea outfit.

"We have to play like there's nothing to lose," he said. "Our work rate has to be better than theirs. We won't outskill them or outpace them or out-power them, but we can outwork them."

Samoa, 10th in the world rankings, have a history of turning the tables on superior opposition and have been widely tipped as the emerging side most likely to cause an upset in this year's World Cup.

Challenge

They have targeted a semi-final spot in New Zealand despite finding themselves in the tournament's 'group of death' alongside reigning world champions South Africa (currently ranked third), Wales (sixth), Fiji (15th) and Namibia (20th).

Coventry however, is under no illusions as to the challenge that lies ahead and is not expecting Wednesday's clash to be a pushover.

"You have to be realistic about your opportunities and where you sit in the pecking order," he added. "But certainly the match against the Wallabies has given us a lot of confidence.

"We'd like to make the quarter-finals. The ultimate goal is winning the World Cup. Whether that's a bridge too far, I don't know. We'll find out in the pool games."

"Anybody can get up on their day and cause an upset, so we're very wary of Namibia tomorrow and conscious of not getting too far ahead of ourselves."

Samoa: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13 George Pisi, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i; 1 Sakaria Taulafo, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (capt), 3 Anthony Perenise, 4 Kane Thompson, 5 Daniel Leo, 6 Taiasina Tuifu'a, 7 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 8 George Stowers
Replacements: Ti'i Paulo, Census Johnston, Joe Tekori, Ofisa Treviranus, Junior Poluleuligaga, Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, Tasesa Lavea

Namibia: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Danie Van Wyk, 12 Piet Van Zyl, 11 Llewellyn Winkler, 10 Theuns Kotze, 9 Eugene Jantjies; 1 Johnnie Redelinghuys, 2 Hugo Horn, 3 Raoul Larson, 4 Heinz Koll, 5 Henk Franken, 6 Jacques Nieuwenhuis, 7 Jacques Burger (capt), 8 PJ van Lill
Replacements: 16 Bertus O'Callaghan, 17 Jane Du Toit, 18 Nico Esterhuyse, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Ryan De La Harpe, 21 Darryl De La Harpe, 22 TC Losper