Teams set for All Blacks test in Apia

The teams for the historic match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Manu Samoa in Apia on July 8 have been announced, with both sides opting for experience.

Samoa will be captained by Ofisa Treviranus, and field an all-European based forward pack including Toulouse prop Census Johnston and recalled Bath flanker Alafoti Fa’osiliva, back after a two year spell in the international wilderness.

Giant winger Alesana Tuilagi ends a similar absence, while Paul Perez returns for the first time since November of 2012, and lines up in the midfield for the first time. Chiefs utility back Tim Nanai-Williams wins his first cap at fullback after competing on the sevens circuit in order to switch his allegiance from New Zealand to Samoa.

One other uncapped player sits on the bench, with versatile midfielder Faialaga Afamasaga also the only Samoan-based member of the match day squad.

The All Blacks will be missing the players that took part in the Super Rugby final on Saturday, but still field a very experienced side with their first choice back row of Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, and captain Richie McCaw intact.

Andy Ellis wins his first cap since the 2011 World Cup at scrumhalf, and hard-running Blues back George Moala makes his test debut on the wing. Three further uncapped players are on the bench, with Nepo Laulala, Brad Weber, and Charlie Ngatai all expected to win their first All Black caps as reserves.

The two sides have met on five previous occasions, all in New Zealand, with the All Blacks winning all by an average margin of 50 points. The last match was in 2008 in New Plymouth, with New Zealand winning by a score of 101-14 against a severely understrength Samoan team due to the match falling outside the international test window.

SAMOA
1 Sakaria Taulafo 2 Ole Avei 3 Census Johnston 4 Filo Paulo 5 Kane Thompson 6 Alafoti Fa’osiliva 7 Jack Lam 8 Ofisa Treviranus (capt.) 9 Kahn Fotuali’i 10 Tusi Pisi 11 Alesana Tuilagi 12 Johnny Leota 13 Paul Perez 14 Alofa Alofa 15 Tim Nanai-Williams

16 Manu Leiataua 17 Viliamu Afatia 18 Anthony Perenise 19 Joe Tekori 20 Maurie Fa’asavalu 21 Pele Cowley 22 Faialaga Afamasaga 23 Ken Pisi

NEW ZEALAND
1 Tony Woodcock 2 Keven Mealamu 3 Owen Franks 4 Luke Romano 5 Sam Whitelock 6 Jerome Kaino 7 Richie McCaw (capt.) 8 Kieran Read 9 Andy Ellis 10 Dan Carter 11 Charles Piutau 12 Sonny Bill Williams 13 Ryan Crotty 14 George Moala 15 Israel Dagg

16 Hika Elliot 17 Wyatt Crockett 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Brodie Retallick 20 Matt Todd 21 Brad Weber 22 Colin Slade 23 Charlie Ngatai