29 Sep 2011

Sport: Samoa name oldest line-up to face Springboks

11:35 am on 29 September 2011

Samoa will field the oldest line-up of any team at this year's Rugby World Cup when they face defending champions South Africa in their must-win match on Friday.

Coach Titimaea Tafau made just two changes to his starting fifteen from the team that beat Fiji at the weekend.

David Lemi has replaced Sailosi Tagicakibau on the right wing in what will be his first appearance of the tournament, while Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu takes over at centre from Seilala Mapusua.

With an average of 30 years and 51 days, Samoa are fielding their oldest starting line-up ever in a RWC match.

30 year old prop Census Johnston says there's a lot of belief in the team going into Friday's match.

"They're world champions and it's pretty much a do or die situation for us and if we didn't think we could win against South Africa we wouldn't be here. It's going to be a hard challenge but we're going to work on"

little things that we need to do and hopefully we can pull off a big upset.

The team is:

1. Sakaria Taulafo

2. Mahonri Schwalger (c)

3. Census Johnston

4. Daniel Leo

5. Kane Thompson

6. Taiasina Tuifua

7. Maurie Faasavalu

8. George Stowers

9. Kahn Fotuali'i

10. Tusi Pisi

11. Alesana Tuilagi

12. Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu

13. Seilala Mapusua

14. David Lemi

15. Paul Williams

Replacements:

16. Ole Avei

17. Anthony Perenise

18. Logovi'i Mulipola

19. Ofisa Treviranus

20. Filipo Lavea Levi

21. Junior Poluleuligaga

22. George Pisi