The second match of the day sees Canada take on mighty Samoa in what is sure to be a full blooded affair. The Canucks haven’t faced the Manu since the days of the now-defunct Pacific Rim tournament, and have lost both previous encounters. Both sides feature relatively new lineups and will be looking to get their November tours off to a cracking start.
Samoan coach Stephen Betham has selected a largely experimental side, possibly resting some of his more established players for the tougher Wales and France matches still to come. David Lemi and Paul Williams are ruled out through injury, so London Wasps prop Sakaria Taulafo assumes the captaincy. North Harbour’s big man Filo Paulo wins his first cap at lock partnering the athletic Fa’atiga Lemalu. The back row has a menacing look to it, with the bruising duo of Ofisa Treviranus and Taiasina Tu’ifua joined by dynamic newcomer Tivani Foma’i.
At scrumhalf new Crusaders signing Jeremy Su’a starts in place of Kahn Fotuali’i, who looks to make an impact from the bench, while rugby league convert Setaimata Sa makes his senior union debut forming a dangerous looking midfield with Northampton star George Pisi. There are 7s skills aplenty on the wing, where the silky Robert Lilomaiava makes his debut and is joined by the rampaging Paul Perez. Samoan u20 captain Ropeti Lafo hopes to win his first cap at hooker from the bench, where powerful ball runners Joe Tekori and Alafoti Fa’osiliva also brood impatiently.
Four of the starting tight five from the impressive ARC squad start for Canada, with London Scottish second row Tyler Hotson the only addition. New hooker Ray Barkwill will hope he can continue to find his lineout targets, towering lock Jon Phelan and his ARC captain Tyler Ardron. Chauncey O’Toole looks to regain some of his diminished form, while Aaron Carpenter captains again from the back of the scrum. One whose physicality will be sorely missed is Jebb Sinclair, who couldn’t secure a visa in time to make the match, while Jamie Cudmore has opted to stay with his club in France.
After a strong ARC flyhalf Connor Braid returns to the test arena for his first caps since 2010, displacing Matt Evans who moves to the wing. Phil Mackenzie is joined by utility back Ciaran Hearn in the centres, while new professional Taylor Paris hopes to find some space on the right wing. Fellow professionals Jason Marshall, Andrew Tiedemann, and Brett Beukeboom are joined by uncapped Eric Wilson on the bench that also features 7s starters John Moonlight and Jeff Hassler.
Neither of these sides are built for sideline to sideline attacking rugby, so the wet weather shouldn’t bother them too much. The scrum isn’t typically a Canadian strength but they more than held their own against the Jaguars in the ARC, so they should be ok against a big but average Samoan scrum. The biggest difference in the side is pure brute force running power. Canada simply have no answer to the likes of Treviranus, Tu’ifua, Pisi and Perez, especially without big hitters Sinclair and Cudmore. On a day where the hard yards will make all the difference, the edge has to go to Samoa. The Manu take this one by 12.
SAMOA
James So’oialo; Paul Perez, George Pisi, Setaimata Sa, Robert Lilomaiava; Tusi Pisi, Jeremy Su’a; Sakaria Taulafo (capt.), Ole Avei, Census Johnston; Fa’atiga Lemalu, Filo Paulo; Ofisa Treviranus, Tivani Foma’i, Taiasina Tu’ifua. RES: Ropeti Lafo, Viliamu Afatia, James Johnston, Joe Tekori, Alafoti Fa’osiliva, Kahn Fotuali’i, Johnny Leota, Fa’atoina Autagavaia.
CANADA
James Pritchard; Taylor Paris, Ciaran Hearn, Phil Mackenzie, Matt Evans; Connor Braid, Sean White; Hubert Buydens, Ray Barkwill, Doug Wooldridge; Jon Phelan, Tyler Hotson; Tyler Ardron, Chauncey O’Toole, Aaron Carpenter (capt.). RES: Ryan Hamilton, Jason Marshall, Andrew Tiedemann, Brett Beukeboom, John Moonlight, Eric Wilson, Nick Blevins, Jeff Hassler.
