PNC Preview – Samoa vs Tonga

The 2019 Pacific Nations Cup kicks off on Friday evening in North American time with Samoa taking on local rivals Tonga. Both sides have named experimental lineups with their respective coaches taking the opportunity to look at new combinations ahead of the World Cup.

Steve Jackson has sprung a surprise with his Manu side by naming Motu Matu’u, one of four hookers in the squad, as captain for the first time. Incumbent Chris Vui is named on the blindside flank with Bordeaux No8 Afa Amosa one of four debutantes in the run-on side.

Former Junior Wallaby cap UJ Seuteni teams up with Auvasa Faleali’i in the halfbacks and there are two new wingers as sevens standouts Belgium Tuatagaloa and Johnny Vaili earn their XV-a-side colors. An experienced midfield pairing sees Cardiff Blues star Reynold Lee-Lo lined up with Bristol’s Alapati Leiua.

Three more new caps are on the bench. 21-year-old tighthead prop Alofa’aga Sao gets his chance along with Nevers lock Senio Toleafoa, another Australian age-grade international. A new call-up to the squad is back row Alamanda Motuga, who captained Samoa on the World Sevens circuit this past season.

The Tongans welcome back Exeter hooker Elvis Taione after a two-year absence and field a monstrous front row with Paea Fa’anunu and Ben Tameifuna the bookends. Soon-to-be Scarlets lock Sam Louis makes his international debut at lock and there is an emotional return for Nasi Manu after a year out undergoing treatment for cancer. He captains the side at No8 in the absence of regular skippers Tane Takulua and Siale Piutau.

Sami Fisilau returns at scrumhalf for his first cap since RWC 2015 and James Faiva makes his test debut at flyhalf. Another new cap is recent call-up Mali Hingano, who partners Cooper Vuna in the midfield. Nafi Tuitavake is a surprise selection at fullback having played his club rugby for Northampton as a center.

There are two more uncapped players on the bench. Bayonne loosehead Toma Taufa and versatile Auckland back Otumaka Mausia will await their first runs with the side. A 6-2 split sees three loose forwards named in Zane Kapeli, Fotu Lokotui, and Sione Vailanu.

Given that many of these players will be lining up together for the first time, it can be expected that neither side will be firing on all cylinders though the collisions will no doubt be spectacular. Samoa have lost two in a row against Tonga and the two sides have been relatively even since RWC 2007. Expect this to be another close battle.

Kickoff is set for Saturday 3pm local time, Friday 7pm Pacific, Friday 10pm Eastern. NBC Sports Gold will broadcast the game live in the USA with World Rugby providing digital streams on their media outlets.

SAMOA
1 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 Motu Matu’u (capt.), 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 4 Filo Paulo, 5 Kane Leaupepe, 6 Chris Vui, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Afa Amosa, 9 Auvasa Faleali’i, 10 UJ Seuteni, 11 Belgium Tuatagaloa, 12 Reynold Lee-Lo, 13 Alapati Leiua, 14 Johnny Vaili, 15 Ahsee Tuala

Replacements: 16 Rau Niuia, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Alofa’aga Sao, 19 Senio Toleafoa, 20 Alamanda Motuga, 21 Dwayne Polataivao, 22 AJ Alatimu, 23 JJ Taulagi

TONGA
1 Paea Fa’anunu, 2 Elvis Taione, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Leva Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Onehunga Havili, 7 Ma’ama Vaipulu, 8 Nasi Manu (capt.), 9 Sami Fisilau, 10 James Faiva, 11 Viliami Lolohea, 12 Cooper Vuna, 13 Mali Hingano, 14 Tevita Halaifonua, 15 Nafi Tuitavake

Replacements: 16 Sefo Sakalia, 17 Toma Taufa, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Zane Kapeli, 20 Fotu Lokotui, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Leon Fukofuka, 23 Otumaka Mausia

Date: Saturday, July 27
Venue: Apia Park, Apia
Kickoff: 15:00 local (19:00 Friday Pacific, 22:00 Friday Eastern)
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZRU)
Assistants: Graham Cooper (ARU) & Kaveni Talemaivalagi (FRU)
TMO: n/a
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Gold (USA), World Rugby