Teams set for Barbarians vs Samoa

The teams are set for Saturday’s historic clash between the Barbarians and Samoa. The game celebrates the 125th anniversary of the invitational club, the first ever meeting between the two, and the first rugby match ever to be played at the Olympic Stadium in London.

World Cup winner Bakkies Botha will captain a powerful Barbarians side that features massive experience in the forwards. Benn Robinson, Carl Hayman, and Pierre Spies all boast more than 50 caps of experience for their respective nations, and 2011 World Cup winner Ali Williams is among the reserves.

Australian duo Luke Burgess and Christian Leali’ifano will control the backline, with another World Champion in Wynand Olivier lining up in the midfield. Giant Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is on the right wing, and former Samoa skipper Paul Williams is at fullback.

Manu Samoa have also named a strong lineup, with the majority of their first string side in action for the first time since the test against the All Blacks. Ofisa Treviranus returns from injury to lead the side, joined in a formidable loose forward trio by Maurie Fa’asavalu and Jack Lam. There is Super Rugby experience spread throughout the tight five, and former Hurricanes hit man Faifili Levave is on the bench, added to the World Cup squad following the untimely injury to Fa’atiga Lemalu.

Kahn Fotuali’i and Tusi Pisi will guide the backs, and there is a new centre pairing with Rey Lee-Lo lining up beside Paul Perez. Exciting Chiefs utility back Tim Nanai-Williams lines up at the back, with another Pisi, Ken, on the left wing. A third brother, George, is still recovering from the injury that kept him out of the Pacific Nations Cup.

The stadium will host five matches during the upcoming World Cup – France vs Romania, New Zealand vs Namibia, Ireland vs Italy, South Africa vs USA, and the 3rd place final on October 3.

BARBARIANS
1 Benn Robinson 2 Saia Fainga’a 3 Carl Hayman 4 Bakkies Botha (capt.) 5 Luke Jones 6 Adam Thomson 7 Liam Gill 8 Pierre Spies 9 Luke Burgess 10 Christian Leali’ifano 11 Dwayne Sweeney 12 Wynand Olivier 13 Ben Tapua’i 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro 15 Paul Williams

16 Tolu Latu 17 Josh Hohneck 18 Maks van Dyk 19 Ali Williams 20 Jacques Potgieter 21 Nic Groom 22 Mike Harris 23 Tom English

SAMOA
1 Sakaria Taulafo 2 Ole Avei 3 Anthony Perenise 4 Filo Paulo 5 Kane Thompson 6 Maurie Fa’asavalu 7 Jack Lam 8 Ofisa Treviranus (capt.) 9 Kahn Fotuali’i 10 Tusi Pisi 11 Ken Pisi 12 Rey Lee-Lo 13 Paul Perez 14 Fa’atoina Autagavaia 15 Tim Nanai-Williams

16 Manu Leiataua 17 Viliamu Afatia 18 Jake Grey 19 Faifili Levave 20 Vavae Tuilagi 21 Vavao Afemai 22 Patrick Fa’apale 23 Johnny Leota