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Match 18 of RWC 2019 will be the second fixture for both Samoa and Scotland. The Pacific Islanders go into the game with a bonus point win under their belts. The same cannot be said of Scotland who were inept in their opener against Ireland. For both this match is a must-win with an eye to reaching the Quarter Finals.
Samoan Head Coach and his players did not react pleasantly to the suspension of two of their players. Hooker Motu Matu’u and centre Rey Lee-Lo were both banned for three matches for dangerous high tackles. Both should have received early red cards against Russia but the referee, assistants and TMO failed to correctly sanction both men at the time.
Jackson has made four changes to the side that started against Russia on Monday. The most notable alteration is at N8 wherein Jack Lam returns to captain the side. He takes over from Afaesetiti Amosa whose RWC is over after having suffered an injured knee against Russia.
At hooker Ray Niuia take over from the suspended Motu Matu’u; and Alapati Leiua moves into the centers. The remaining changes see Melani Matavao starting at scrum-half; and Belgium Tuatagaloa in place of Leiua on the wing.
Looking for vast improvement following their horror-show against Ireland, the Northern British side go into the game with five changes. The casualties are Tennessee-Born winger Tommy Seymour; England-born center Duncan Taylor; Hong Kong born flanker John Barclay and England-born N8 Ryan Wilson.
Replacing them will be Darcy Graham who starts on the right wing; Chris Harris at outside center; Magnus Bradbury at flanker; and Blade Thomson at N8.
The final change is due to injury as James Ritchie replaces Hamish Watson who suffered a serious knee injury against Ireland.
There have been eleven prior test matches between Samoa and Scotland. The first was a RWC 1991 fixture with the Europeans completing a 28-6 victory in what was a Quarter Final. They would also meet in RWCs 1999 and 2015 with Scotland winning on both occasions.
Overall Scotland had nine wins, Samoa one and there was a draw in a non-RWC match in 1995. Scotland are favored to win again in Kobe on Monday. ARN predicts that the Scots will complete a win by 20 points.
TEAMS
SAMOA
1 Logovii Mulipola, 2 Ray Niuia, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 5 Kane Le’aupepe, 6 Chris Vui, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Jack Lam (capt.), 9 Melani Matavao, 10 Tusi Pisi, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Henry Taefu, 13 Alapati Leiua, 14 Belgium Tuatagaloa, 15 Tim Nanai-Williams
Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Jordan Lay, 19 Piula Fa’asalele, 20 Josh Tyrell, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Ulupano Seuteni, 23 Kieron Fonotia
SCOTLAND
1 Allan Dell, 2 Stuart McInally (capt.), 3 WP Nel, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Jamie Ritchie, 8 Blade Thomson, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Sean Maitland, 12 Sam Johnson, 13 Chris Harris, 14 Darcy Graham, 15 Stuart Hogg
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 George Horne, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Duncan Taylor
Date: Monday, September 30
Kick-Off: 19:15 local (03:15 Pacific, 06:15 Eastern, 07:15 Rio de la Plata)
Venue: Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
