Samoa recall key men for Wales clash

Samoa have served notice of their intention to attack Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium this weekend with the announcement of an experienced side.

Halfback Kahn Fotuali’i, who plays his club rugby for Welsh regional side the Ospreys, Maurie Fa’asvalu, a flanker with English champions Harlequins, and Worcester winger David Lemi, the Pacific Islanders’ captain, are among six changes from the side that beat Canada 42-12 in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, last Friday.

Samoa will be thirsting for revenge following their World Cup pool defeat by Wales in New Zealand last year.

Fotuali’i, in fine form for the Ospreys this season, replaced Jeremy Su’a while Fa’asavalu came in for Tivani Foma’i.

Former Sale back Paul Williams returned from injury to start in the centre, while there was no place in the 1st XV for Robert Lilomaiava, the four-try hero of the win over Canada, with captain Lemi in the left-wing berth.

Fa’atoina Autagavaia was selected at fullback with James So’oialo suspended after being found guilty of a shoulder charge against Canada, although he could still feature as the Samoa management plan to appeal against the International Rugby Board ruling.

The tourists will be looking to add to their 1991 and 1999 triumphs in Cardiff as they seek to inflict fresh misery on a Wales side smarting after last week’s 26-12 Millennium Stadium defeat by Argentina.

Samoa have named just seven replacements, with the eighth to be announced in due course.

Former Leicester winger Alesana Tuilagi and ex-London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua were unavailable for the tour due to injury.

Samoa: Fa’atoina Autagavaia; Paul Perez, George Pisi, Paul Williams, David Lemi (capt); Tusi Pisi, Kahn Fotuali’i; Taiasina Tuifua, Maurie Fa’asavalu, Ofisa Treviranus; Teofilo Paulo, Daniel Leo; Census Johnston, Wayne Ole Avei, Sakaria Taulafo. Res: Ti’i Paulo, Viliamu Afatia, James Johnston, TBA, Tivani Foma’i, Jeremy Su’a, Johnny Leota, Robert Lilomaiava.

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