Big Joe starts for Samoa

Joe Tekori will start for the first time since November of 2012 as Manu Samoa freshen up their Pacific Nations Cup side to face Canada in Toronto. Tekori is one of six changes all told from the team that drew with Fiji in Sacramento on Friday.

Viliamu Afatia tags in for Sakaria Taulafo at loosehead prop, with former Hurricanes standout Faifili Levave replacing Jack Lam on the flank. Faialaga Afamasaga is back in at centre, Sinoti Sinoti returns on the right wing, and Ahsee Tuala is recalled at fullback. Francis Ieremia is set to make his senior international debut as a reserve.

Samoa have beaten Canada in each of the four times the two sides have met, the last a 23-13 victory in Vannes played in November of last year.

SAMOA
1 Viliamu Afatia 2 Motu Matu’u 3 Anthony Perenise 4 Filo Paulo 5 Joe Tekori 6 Faifili Levave 7 TJ Ioane 8 Vavae Tuilagi 9 Pele Cowley 10 Mike Stanley 11 Alesana Tuilagi (capt.) 12 Faialaga Afamasaga 13 Paul Perez 14 Sinoti Sinoti 15 Ahsee Tuala

16 Andrew Williams 17 Sakaria Taulafo 18 Jake Grey 19 Maselino Paulino 20 Francis Ieremia 21 Vavao Afemai 22 Patrick Fa’apale 23 Faleniu Iosi