Samoa change 9, US change 1 for RWC opener in Brighton

By foxsports
Published

BRIGHTON, England (AP) Samoa made nine changes from the side which started the Pacific Nations Cup final for its Rugby World Cup opening match against the United States on Sunday at Brighton Community Stadium.

Only two of the backs - scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i and winger Alesana Tuilagi - were retained on Friday, plus prop Sakaria Taulafo and Anthony Perenise, lock Iosefa Tekori, and flanker Jack Lam.

Samoa lost that final to Fiji 39-29 in Vancouver on Aug. 3.

Meanwhile, the U.S. made only one change to the side which lost to Australia 47-10 in Chicago two weeks ago, after giving the Wallabies a good run in the first half.

Saracens lock Hayden Smith was selected, and Cardiff's Cam Dolan moved into the reserves.

In Chicago, the U.S. went for a 6-2 forwards-backs split in the reserves, but have gone to 5-3 for the Samoa game, with sevens winger Brett Thompson in at the expense of No. 8 John Quill.

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Lineups:

Samoa: Tim Nanai-Williams, Ken Pisi, Paul Perez, Rey Lee-Lo, Alesana Tuilagi, Tusi Pisi, Kahn Fotuali'i; Ofisa Treviranus (captain), Jack Lam, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Iosefa Tekori, Teofilo Paulo, Anthony Perenise, Ole Avei, Sakaria Taulafo. Reserves: Viliamu Afatia, Motu Matu'u, Census Johnston, Faifili Levave, Alafoti Faosiliva, Vavao Afemai, Mike Stanley, Fa'atoina Autagavaia.

United States: Blaine Scully, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Seamus Kelly, Thretton Palamo, Chris Wyles (captain), AJ MacGinty, Mike Petri; Samu Manoa, Andrew Durutalo, Al McFarland, Greg Peterson, Hayden Smith, Titi Lamositele, Zach Fenoglio, Eric Fry. Reserves: Phil Thiel, Oli Kilifi, Chris Baumann, Cam Dolan, Danny Barrett, Shalom Suniula, Folau Niua, Brett Thompson.