Only six days after the decisive loss to the Pumas, Wales must regroup to face an in-form and physically menacing Manu Samoa on Friday. Coach Rob Howley has made drastic changes to the side, retaining only three forwards and dropping his captain. While he might blow them off as simple squad rotation, it is clearly more than that. It is a wake up call. Anything short of victory would be a massive blow to Welsh confidence, and Samoa is anything but an easy game.
Chief amongst the casualties is benched captain Sam Warburton, replaced by Ospreys all-action man Justin Tipuric. Ryan Jones is once again called upon to lead Wales, and does so for a record 29th time, replacing injured Josh Turnbull on the blindside. Alun Wyn Jones’ shoulder injury sees Bradley Davies return to the number four jersey, while Richard Hibbard moves up from the bench in place of Matthew Rees, dropping out of the match day squad completely. Ken Owens takes Hibbard’s bench position. Paul James swaps with Gethin Jenkins at loosehead, with Scott Andrews covering tighthead. Luke Charteris is the remaining forward reserve, leaving no room for Ryan Bevington or Rob McCusker.
Ineffectual halfbacks Tavis Knoyle and Rhys Priestland have both been demoted to the reserves as Mike Phillips is restored to the starting lineup along with a resurgent Dan Biggar. Scott Williams makes way for Ashley Beck, with Williams taking namesake Liam’s spot in the number twenty three jersey. Jamie Roberts has recovered sufficiently from slight concussion to retain his centre position, but there is no place for James Hook. Giant wingers Alex Cuthbert and George North have been retained despite very quiet performances against their much smaller opposites on the weekend.
Samoa, by contrast, will be brimming with confidence following their thrashing of Canada in Colwyn Bay, and no doubt have enjoyed the extra day’s recovery. Coach Stephan Betham has nonetheless made six changes to the run-on side, lauding the impressive squad depth of the island nation.
Perpignan lock Daniel Leo is one of two changes in the pack that performed so well, taking the place of the less physical Fa’atiga Lemalu. The other sees pacy flanker Tivani Foma’i drop to the bench to allow Harlequins powerhouse Maurie Fa’asavalu to make his mark. Ole Avei retains the starting hooker spot despite the addition to the squad of Ti’i Paulo, previously unavailable with club commitments in Clermont.
Despite an excellent match against Canada, scrumhalf Jeremy Su’a must settle for a reserve spot as Kahn Fotuali’i is recalled to form an impressive halfback partnership with Tusi Pisi. Similarly four-try scorer Robert Lilomaiava makes way for fit-again captain David Lemi, while Paul Williams replaces injured Setaimata Sa at inside centre. With outstanding goal kicker James So’oialo out due to suspension, Fa’atoina Autagavaia is brought back in at fullback.
Only twelve players out of the thirty that started the 17-10 World Cup victory for Wales a year ago return to start this time, so don’t expect the same result. The Manu showed against Canada that they are more than just a crash and bash side, they showed improvement in just about every aspect of their game, and have added some key veterans to the side this week. They will know that the Welsh are up against it, and will be determined to make up for the narrow defeat to Scotland in June.
Wales will hope to redeem themselves after their poor outing against Argentina, but with little continuity and no form to speak of, the task might just be too much. With so much of the Welsh game plan dependant on imposing physicality and winning the battle at the gain line, the ferocity of the Samoans and the six day turnaround will take its toll and ultimately lead them to another famous victory at the Millenium Stadium. Manu Samoa win by 5.
WALES
Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Ashley Beck, Jamie Roberts, George North; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis; Bradley Davies, Ian Evans; Ryan Jones (capt.), Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau. RES: Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins, Scott Andrews, Luke Charteris, Sam Warburton, Tavis Knoyle, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams.
SAMOA
Fa’atoina Autagavaia; Paul Perez, George Pisi, Paul Williams, David Lemi (capt.); Tusi Pisi, Kahn Fotuali’i; Sakaria Taulafo, Ole Avei, Census Johnston; Daniel Leo, Filo Paulo; Ofisa Treviranus, Maurie Fa’asavalu, Taiasina Tu’ifua. RES: Ti’i Paulo, Viliamu Afatia, James Johnson, AN Other, Tivani Foma’i, Jeremy Su’a, Johnny Leota, Robert Lilomaiava.
