PNC Preview – Samoa vs USA

The second round of the Pacific Nations Cup kicks off in Suva with a neutral-venue clash between Samoa and the USA at ANZ Stadium. Both teams earned victories in the opening round, the Manu surviving a mud bath and Tonga in Apia while the Eagles put a beating on Canada in Colorado.

World Cup selection is a focal point of the competition and Samoa coach Steve Jackson will run the rule over several new players on Saturday. It’s an all-new front row as brothers Jordan and James Lay are the bookends around Seilala Lam.

Senio Toleafoa is handed his first start at lock after debuting off the bench on the weekend, and Henry Stowers comes in on the blindside flank to win his first cap. Piula Fa’asalele runs out at No8 for the first time and the Toulouse forward also assumes the captaincy in his 18th test appearance.

There are new halfbacks in Pele Cowley and AJ Alatimu, and an all-new midfield combination with Henry Taefu partnering Kieron Fonotia. The only change out wide sees Alapati Leiua switching to the left wing with Belgium Tuatagaloa dropping out to make room.

Harlequins hooker Elia Elia is named on the bench with Bristol loose forward Jack Lam set to join him pending a late fitness test. Kane Leaupepe will step in if Lam is unable to go.

Gary Gold has also looked to freshen up his side with five changes to the run-on side, although two are enforced. James Hilterbrand starts at hooker with Dylan Fawsitt switching to the bench. Greg Peterson replaces the injured Nick Civetta at lock, and Tony Lamborn will wear the No6 shirt for the first time with John Quill retained at No7.

Ruben de Haas makes his 4th test start in place of Shaun Davies at scrumhalf, though already his second against Samoa. Marcel Brache is still recovering from a head knock suffered against Canada but Paul Lasike is fit to play and restores the first choice midfield combination with Bryce Campbell.

Four players come onto the bench after missing the match at Infinity Park. Nate Brakeley covers lock with Eagles Sevens standout Ben Pinkelman set to make his debut as a back row replacement. Nate Augspurger returns after a year’s absence and Will Magie provides cover for AJ MacGinty.

The Eagles finally got their first win over the Manu in November, ending 16 years of frustration. Will Hooley’s last-gasp penalty goal gave the USA the one-point win but the psychological boost was significant. Expect another close contest but MacGinty’s class and the return of Lasike makes the USA narrow favorites heading in.

Kickoff is set for Saturday 2:30pm local time, Friday 7:30pm Pacific, Friday 10:30pm Eastern. NBC Sports Gold will broadcast in the USA with World Rugby providing digital streams on their media outlets.

SAMOA
1 Jordan Lay, 2 Seilala Lam, 3 James Lay, 4 Filo Paulo, 5 Senio Toleafoa, 6 Henry Stowers, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Piula Fa’asalele, 9 Pele Cowley, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Alapati Leiua, 12 Henry Taefu, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 14 Johnny Vaili, 15 Ahsee Tuala

Replacements: 16 Elia Elia, 17 Logovi’i Mulipola, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Jack Lam / Kane Leaupepe, 20 Afa Amosa, 21 Auvasa Faleali’i, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo, 23 JJ Taulagi

USA
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 James Hilterbrand, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Ben Landry, 5 Greg Peterson, 6 Tony Lamborn, 7 John Quill, 8 Cam Dolan, 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 AJ MacGinty, 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Blaine Scully (capt.), 15 Will Hooley

Replacements: 16 Dylan Fawsitt, 17 David Ainu’u, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Nate Brakeley, 20 Ben Pinkelman, 21 Nate Augspurger, 22 Will Magie, 23 Madison Hughes

Date: Saturday, August 3
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Suva
Kickoff: 14:30 local (Friday 19:30 Pacific, Friday 22:30 Eastern)
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Assistants: Damon Murphy (ARU) & Tevita Rokovereni (FRU)
TMO: n/a
Broadcasts NBC Sports Gold (USA), World Rugby