Two New Caps for Samoa

Centre Dale Rasmussen, and fullback Fa’atonu Fili will make their international debuts for Samoa against Ireland in Apia on Friday in a side that will be captained by the Scottish Borders back row Semo Sititi.

There are also two newcomers on the bench, with the uncapped duo of Gaolo Elisara and Dominic Feaunati in line to win their first caps.

The Samoans warmed up for the test with Ireland, their only home match before the World Cup, with games against Super 12 sides, the Waratahs and Queensland Reds. They beat the Waratahs and lost narrowly to the Reds and will give the Irish a much stiffer examination than was provided by the Tongans. The game is likely to be every bit as physical as the Tongan match and it will be played temperatures that could reach into the 90s

Samoa.
15 Fa’atonu Fili
14 Lome Fa’atau
13 Dale Rasmussen
12 Brian Lima
11 Ron Fanuatanu
10 Earl Va’a,
9 Denning Tyrell
8 Semo Sititi (captain)
7 Maurie Fa’asavalu
6 Kitiona Viliamu
5 Leo Lafaialii,
4 Opeta Palepoi
3 Jeremy Tomuli
2 Trevor Leota
1 Kas Lealamanua.

Replacements
16 Jonathan Meredith
17 Tamato Leupolu
18 Des Tuiavi’i
19 Ponali Tapelu
20 Steven So’oialo
21 Gaolo Elisara
22 Dominic Feaunati.