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The teams have been named for the crucial Pool B match between Samoa and Japan. Both sides have one win thus far, and must earn a second of they are to progress to the quarter-finals. After a stunning upset over South Africa, the Brave Blossoms will be seen as favorites, but not by much, with Samoa historically the better of the two sides.
Stephen Betham has made five changes to the side that was overwhelmed by the Springboks in Birmingham. Ole Avei comes in at hooker in place of Motu Matu’u, while Kane Thompson makes his first appearance of the tournament replacing Joe Tekori at lock. Faifili Levave comes in at no8, pushing Jack Lam to the bench and skipper Ofisa Treviranus to the side of the scrum.
A critical change in the backs sees Tusi Pisi recalled at no10 in place of Mike Stanley, but there is still no place for brother George Pisi, whose only appearance thus far was as a replacement against South Africa. Reynold Lee-Lo is moved to the bench in the last change, with Johnny Leota brought in at inside centre.
After being stretched beyond their means against Scotland, Japan have reverted to the side that conquered South Africa with two exceptions. Keita Inagaki starts at loosehead prop in place of Masataka Mikami, while Koliniasi Holani is given the no8 jersey, both Hendrik Tui and burgeoning star Amanaki Mafi found on the bench.
Japan have beaten Samoa on only three occasions in 14 attempts since 1990. Japan won 33-14 in the last meeting, albeit against a severely depleted Manu Samoa side in Tokyo in May of last year, outside the official international test window.
SAMOA
1 Sakaria Taulafo 2 Ole Avei 3 Census Johnston 4 Filo Paulo 5 Kane Thompson 6 Ofisa Treviranus (capt.) 7 TJ Ioane 8 Faifili Levave 9 Kahn Fotuali’i 10 Tusi Pisi 11 Alesana Tuilagi 12 Johnny Leota 13 Paul Perez 14 Ken Pisi 15 Tim Nanai-Williams
16 Motu Matu’u 17 Viliamu Afatia 18 Anthony Perenise 19 Jack Lam 20 Vavae Tuilagi 21 Vavao Afemai 22 Mike Stanley 23 Reynold Lee-Lo
JAPAN
1 Keita Inagaki 2 Shota Horie 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama 4 Luke Thompson 5 Hitoshi Ono 6 Michael Leitch (capt.) 7 Michael Broadhurst 8 Koliniasi Holani 9 Fumiaki Tanaka 10 Kosei Ono 11 Kotaro Matsushima 12 Harumichi Tatekawa 13 Male Sa’u 14 Akihito Yamada 15 Ayumu Goromaru
16 Takeshi Kizu 17 Masataka Mikami 18 Hiroshi Yamashita 19 Justin Ives 20 Amanaki Mafi 21 Hendrik Tui 22 Atsushi Hiwasa 23 Karne Hesketh
