What could have been, and might still be, a very tasty battle at the Aviva has been somewhat watered down by the withdrawal of several leading players from both sides.
IRELAND vs SAMOA
Saturday, November 9, 17:45 GMT, Dublin
The first game for new coach Joe Schmidt is a dangerous one as Samoa have proven their spoiler capabilities with wins over Australia and Wales in recent times. Jonny Sexton has been rested, and reinstated captain Paul O’Connell warms the bench with fellow Lions Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy. Jamie Heaslip leads the team for this match, with Chris Henry filling in on the openside and Leinster lighthouse Devin Toner in the engine room.
Surging Leinster loosehead Jack McGrath makes his Ireland debut alongside aging veterans Rory Best and Mike Ross, and similarly inexperienced flyhalf Paddy Jackson will look to prehistoric centres Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll for reassurance. Fergus McFadden is preferred on the left wing to Andrew Trimble, and his uncapped Leinster teammate Dave Kearney is sure to feature as a replacement at some point. Eoin Reddan returns to the bench after breaking his leg against France in March.
Tighthead Census Johnston is the latest Samoan casualty, joining captain David Lemi, Paul Williams, Daniel Leo, and Maurie Fa’asavalu on the disabled list. Classy Northampton halfback Kahn Fotuali’i steps up to lead the side, with fellow Saint George Pisi also returning to add his considerable attacking skills to the midfield. Versatile Leicester prop Logovi’i Mulipola shifts to tighthead, with Johnston’s brother James left in the reserves.
With no sign of any Tuilagi’s in the squad and Paul Perez missing in action after supposedly signing for Biarritz, Brando Va’aulu takes up camp on the left wing beside counterattack specialist Fa’atoina Autagavaia at fullback. Super Rugby standout Faifili Levave has strangely been left out completely, as well as top flyhalf prospect Patrick Fa’apale, both of whom were expected to feature heavily. West country call-ups Alafoti Fa’osiliva and Fautua Otto are instead summoned as subs, along with uncapped Taranaki centre Isaia Tu’ifua.
The match will be preceded by a minute’s silence for Samoan legend Pita Fatialofa, who passed away during the week, and though one might suggest this memory could spur the Manu on to greater heights, in truth they are never short of spirit and have always found inspiration from their past heroes. Their weakness has been their discipline and ability to convert pressure into points, and the absence of recent Connacht castaway James So’oialo is certainly a blow in the goal kicking department, with the erratic Tusi Pisi likely to fill that role.
Though this is an underwhelming Irish selection it has enough experience to keep the scoreboard ticking over and stay away from playing careless rugby in their own end. The set piece should be a lock with Ross and Toner leading the way, and though the collisions will take their toll they should be able to go through the phases and earn some penalty opportunities and the odd overlap. Take the home side to win in a conservative but entertaining match by 5.
Referee: Steve Walsh (ARU)
Assistants: Wayne Barnes (RFU) & Luke Pearce (RFU)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)
