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Samoa Head Coach Stephen Betham has announced his lineup to take on the USA in their Pool B opener on Sunday. Betham names a powerful and punishing group that looks to dominate the contact area and wear down the USA. Ofisa Treviranus will Captain the side that needs to get their World Cup off to a strong start. With hopes of challenging for a quarterfinal spot, there is little room for error for Samoa.
The two sides met during the Pacific Nations Cup with Samoa clinging onto a 21-16 win, but it was widely known that Samoa was not at full strength during the PNC. Of the starting XV that took on the USA during the PNC, only six return to the starting lineup against the Eagles at the World Cup.
Maurie Fa’asavalu, Jack Lam, and Treviranus provide a bruising back row that should set the platform for Samoa’s hard running backs. During their last meeting, Samoa used a punishing midfield attack to soften up the USA defense. The Samoan attack faded in the second half allowing the USA to crawl back into the match.
The 2015 Rugby World Cup is Samoa’s seventh appearance. The only RWC they have missed was the inaugural World Cup in 1987. Samoa’s All-Time RWC record is 11-13 and they have made three appearances in the quarterfinals (1991, 1995, 1999). Samoa has failed to move past the pool stage in the last three World Cups.
Samoa Lineup vs USA
1. Sakaria Taulafo 2. Ole Avei 3. Anthony Perenise 4. Teofilo Paulo 5. Iosefa Tekori 6. Maurie Fa’asavalu 7. Jack Lam 8. Ofisa Treviranus (c) 9. Kahn Fotuali’i 10. Tusi Pisi 11. Alesana Tuilagi 12. Rey Lee-Lo 13. Paul Perez 14. Ken Pisi 15. Tim Nanai-Williams
Replacements:
16. Viliamu Afatia 17. Motu Matu’u 18. Census Johnston 19. Faifili Levave 20. Alafoti Faosiliva 21. Vavao Afemai 22. Mike Stanley 23. Fa’atoina Autagavaia
