Injures force Samoan changes for Canada

An extensive injury list has forced Manu Samoa to make seven changes to their starting lineup to face Canada. From the team that lost 20-16 to Georgia last weekend, ruled out are hooker Manu Leiataua, second row Filo Paulo, flanker Jack Lam, and centre Reynold Lee-Lo. Another second row, Chris Vui, has been ruled out after failing a late fitness test in a bid to return from injury suffered against France two weeks ago. Northampton midfielder George Pisi has been left out.

The front row sees Sakaria Taulafo return from Paris to start at loosehead prop with Logovi’i Mulipola switching to the tighthead side. Promising 20-year-old Elia Elia is handed a first test start at hooker, with former first choice no8 Taiasina Tuifu’a recalled for the first time in two years to fill in at lock. Genesis Mamea replaces Lam in the back row and start at the back of the scrum with Alafoti Fa’osiliva shifting back to the blindside flank.

Teenage flyhalf D’Angelo Leuila is given his first test start ahead of Patrick Fa’apale, and there is a new midfield pairing of Winston Stanley – recalled from Harlequins – and Paul Perez who moves in one spot from the wing. Ken Pisi makes his first run-out of the November series in the no14 shirt.

Seilala Lam has arrived from Nevers in France to cover hooker, and there are two uncapped players on the bench in prop Nephi Leatigaga and centre Ope Peleseuma. Both were part of the Samoa ‘A’ team that competed in the Americas Pacific Challenge in Uruguay. Reserve halfback Danny Tusitala and Northampton fullback Ahsee Tuala are also named in the match day squad for the first time this tour, with Tuala set to win his first cap since August 2015 after being overlooked for the World Cup.

Canada have never beaten Samoa in five attempts, the last time seeing the Manu edge out a 21-20 victory in Toronto during the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup. This match will be played at the neutral venue of the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France. Kickoff is set for 8pm local time, 2pm Eastern with a live stream provided by World Rugby.

SAMOA
1 Sakaria Taulafo, 2 Elia Elia, 3 Logovi’i Mulipola, 4 Taiasina Tuifu’a, 5 Jeff Lepa, 6 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, 7 Greg Foe, 8 Genesis Mamea, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 10 D’Angelo Leuila, 11 David Lemi (capt.), 12 Winston Stanley, 13 Paul Perez, 14 Ken Pisi, 15 Albert Nikoro

16 Seilala Lam, 17 Nephi Leatigaga, 18 Census Johnston, 19 Talaga Alofipo, 20 Oneone Fa’afou, 21 Danny Tusitala, 22 Ope Peleseuma, 23 Ahsee Tuala