Samoa coach Steve Jackson has made six changes to his side for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup clash against hosts Japan at the City of Toyota Stadium on Saturday, throwing up the possibility of two sets of brothers being on the pitch at the same time.
Number eight and captain Jack Lam, and his brother Seilala, who plays at hooker, will start the Pool A game at the City of Toyota Stadium, the first time in a World Cup they have achieved the feat.
Loose-head prop Jordan Lay has been brought into the starting XV while his brother James, also a prop who operates on the other side of the front row, is among the replacements.
Lock Piula Faasalele, scrum-half Dwayne Polataivao, fly-half Ulupano Seuteni and wing Ah See Tuala are the others to have been drafted into the side following Monday’s 34-0 loss to Scotland.
Samoa are still in contention for the quarter-finals, but would need to beat Japan and Ireland in their remaining two matches, both of which would be major surprises.
Japan are riding the crest of a wave following their stunning 19-12 victory over Ireland last time out and will be hopeful of keeping that momentum going against the Samoans.
Flank TJ Ioane and full-back Tim Nanai-Williams are the only two Samoan players who started in their 26-5 defeat to Japan in the 2015 World Cup, which was also the last meeting between the sides.
Team: 15-Tim Nanai-Williams, 14-Ah See Tuala, 13-Alapati Leiua, 12-Henry Taefu, 11-Ed Fidow, 10-Ulupano Seuteni, 9-Dwayne Polataivao, 8-Jack Lam (captain), 7-TJ Ioane, 6-Chris Vui, 5-Kane Le’aupepe, 4-Piula Faasalele, 3-Michael Alaalatoa, 2-Seilala Lam, 1-Jordan Lay
Replacements: 16-Ray Niuia, 17-Paul Alo-Emile, 18-James Lay, 19-Senio Toleafoa, 20-Josh Tyrell, 21-Pele Cowley, 22-Tusi Pisi, 23-Kieron Fonotia.
Pictures: Best pictures from the 2019 Rugby World Cup
The ninth Rugby World Cup is being held in Japan from Sept. 20 to Nov. 2, 2019. A total of 20 teams, including New Zealand, Japan, England, Australia and France, have qualified. Here is a look at some of the best photos from the tournament so far.
(Pictured) Russia’s Vasily Dorofeev gets tackled by Samoa’s Alapati Leiua during their match in Kumagaya, on Sept. 24.
Russia’s Yuri Kushnarev scores a penalty on Sept. 24.
Samoa’s Chris Vui is seen in a scrum on Sept. 24.
Team Samoa perform the Siva Tau before the match on Sept. 24.
Wales’ Gareth Davies in action as they defeat Georgia 43-14 on Sept. 23.
England’s Billy Vunipola blasts through the Tongan defense during their match in Sapporo on Sept. 22.
England’s Manu Tuilagi gestures after scoring his team’s second try against Tonga on Sept. 22.
Players from Tonga perform their traditional challenge of Sipi Tau prior to the match against England on Dec. 22.
Scotland’s Finn Russell grabs the ball during a match against Ireland in Yokohama on Sept. 22.
Ireland’s Conor Murray makes a run for it on Sept. 22.
A Scottish fan plays the bagpipes to show support on Sept. 22.
Italy’s Maxime Mbanda gets tackled by Namibian lock Tjiuee Uanivi during their match in Osaka on Sept. 22.
Italy’s Luca Morisi tries to power through the Namibian defense on Sept. 22.
Team South Africa look on as the All Blacks perform their traditional Haka prior to their match in Yokohama, on Sept. 21.
New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett (L) in action against South Africa on Sept. 21.
South Africa’s Lukhanyo Am tackles New Zealand’s Richie Mo’unga on Sept. 21.
South Africa’s Faf de Klerk (C) in action against New Zealand on Sept. 21.
Photographers capture the Haka performace on Sep. 21.
The All Blacks perform the Haka on Sept. 21.
TJ Perenara gestures during his team’s Haka performance on Sept. 21.
New Zealand players perform the haka before the match on Sept. 21.
French players applaud fans after defeating Argentina on Sept. 21.
France’s Charles Ollivon celebrates with fans after winning the match against Argentina on Sept. 21.
Pablo Matera of Argentina is tackled during a Group C game against France at Tokyo Stadium on Sept. 21.
Argentine fans cheer before the match on Sept. 21.
Players in action during the game between Argentina and France on Sept. 21.
France fans cheer on the team on Sept. 21.
France’s Sébastien Vahaamahina (L) and Arthur Iturria (R) tackle Argentina’s Jerónimo de la Fuente on Sept. 21.
Players of the Argentine team sing the national anthem before their game against France on Sept. 21.
Marika Koroibete (C) of Australia is tackled by Semi Radradra and Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji during a Group D game at Sapporo Dome on Sept. 21.
Fiji’s Peceli Yato scores during the game against Australia on Sept. 21.
The players of Fiji and Australia teams in action on Sept. 21.
Australian supporters enjoy the game against Fiji on Sept. 21.
Fiji players perform the Cibi prior to their match against Australia on Sept. 21.
Australian players huddle prior to their game against Fiji on Sept. 21.
Fiji and Australia players line up for the national anthems prior to the game on Sept. 21.
Japanese players bow after winning their first Pool A match against Russia at the Tokyo Stadium on Sept. 20.
Japan fans cheer during the match against Russia on Sept. 20.
Russia’s Stanislav Selskii is tackled by Japan’s Will Tupou on Sept. 20.
Japan’s Michael Leitch in action during the opening match against Russia on Sept. 20.
The Japan and Russia teams line up before the match on Sept. 20.
The members of the Japan and Russia team walk past the Webb Ellis Cup before the match on Sept. 20.
A fireworks display during the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Stadium on Sept. 20.
A Taiko drummer performs on Sept. 20.
Children perform during the opening ceremony on Sept. 20.
Dancers take part in the opening ceremony on Sept. 20.
A general view of performers during the opening ceremony on Sept. 20.
Former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw holds the Webb Ellis Cup aloft during the ceremony on Sept. 20.
The Blue Impulse aerobatic team perform over the stadium on Sept. 20.
Fans arrive for the opening match between Japan and Russia at the Tokyo Stadium on Sept. 20.
People take selfie before the opening match on Sept. 20.
Fans pose outside the stadium on Sept. 20.
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