Thompson suspended, Levave plays lock

Experienced lock Kane Thompson has been handed a two-game suspension after receiving a red card for punching Saia Fainga’a of the Barbarians on the weekend. As a result the former Chiefs and now Newcastle Falcons forward will miss Saturday’s game against Wasps as well as the opening World Cup match against the United States.

In a bid to shore up second row cover, Samoa will start Faifili Levave in the unusual position of lock against Wasps, in the hopes that he will be able to provide sufficient cover for the match against the Eagles. Joe Tekori will start alongside, with Filo Paulo on the bench the only other specialist second row left in the squad. Fa’atiga Lemalu was originally named in the World Cup squad but was forced to withdraw due to injury, prompting head coach Stephen Betham to recall loose forward Levave instead of towering Waikato lock Maselino Paulino.

The rest of the team for Saturday is a mix of first choice and reserve players, with George Pisi getting his first action in the blue jersey this year after returning from injury. Alafoti Fa’osiliva joins TJ Ioane and captain Ofisa Treviranus in a dynamic back row unit, and Mike Stanley gets a start at flyhalf in place of Tusi Pisi. Ken Pisi will line up outside brother George on the wing.

Wasps are the home of injured Samoan centre Alapati Leiua, and are expected to name former World Cup winger Sailosi Tagicakibau in the side to face his countrymen. Other names who could feature are Australian flanker George Smith and Fijian no8 Nathan Hughes, who has opted to skip the tournament in order to qualify for England on residency. The match will take place at the new home of Wasps, the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

SAMOA
1 Viliamu Afatia 2 Motu Matu’u 3 Anthony Perenise 4 Faifili Levave 5 Joe Tekori 6 Alafoti Fa’osiliva 7 TJ Ioane 8 Ofisa Treviranus (capt.) 9 Kahn Fotuali’i 10 Mike Stanley 11 Alesana Tuilagi 12 Johnny Leota 13 George Pisi 14 Ken Pisi 15 Tim Nanai-Williams

16 Sakaria Taulafo 17 Ole Avei 18 Jake Grey 19 Filo Paulo 20 Maurie Fa’asavalu 21 Vavao Afemai 22 Tusi Pisi 23 Fa’atoina Autagavaia