8 Nov 2012

Sport: Five players set for Manu Samoa debut

11:36 am on 8 November 2012

Five players will make their test debut for Manu Samoa at the weekend after being included in the team to face Canada in the North of Wales.

Blues Super Rugby rep Filo Paulo will start in the second row, Hawkes Bay flanker Tivani Fomai gets a start, and former Kiwis league international Setaimata Sa lines up in midfield.

Local new caps Robert Lilomaiava and Ropeti Lafo have also been included on the bench.

Tour Captain David Lemi was not considered for selection due to lower back injury, with Sakaria Taulafo to captain the side and Tusi Pisi vice captain.

The full team is:

1. LOOSE HEAD: SAKARIA TAULAFO (C) 2. HOOKER: WAYNE OLEAVEI 3. TIGHTHEAD: CENSUS JOHNSTON 4. LOCK: FAATIGALEMALU 5. LOCK: TEO FILO PAULO 6. BLINDSIDE: OFISA TREVARENIUS 7. OPENSIDE: FOMAI TIAVANIFOMAI . NO8 TAIASINATUIFUA 9. SCRUMHALF JEREMY SUA 10. OUTSIDE HALF: TUSIA TAPISI 11. WING: ROBERT LILOMAIAVA 12. CENTRE: SETAI MATASA 13. CENTRE: GEORGE PISI 14. WING: PAUL PEREZ 15. FULLBACK: JAMES SOOIALO 16. Front Row ROPETI LAFO 17. FRONT Row: VILIA MUAFATIA 18. FRONT Row: JAMES JOHNSTON 19. IOSEFA TEKORI 20. ALAFOTI FAOSILIVA 21. KAHN FOTUALII 22. JOHNNY LEOTA 23. FAATOI NAAUTAGAVAIA