Manu Samoa team for Fiji

Michael Jones has made five  changes to the starting line-up of the Manu Samoa team to play Fiji in Suva on Saturday. The team looks s a stronger one than that which beat Tonga last weekend.

Back into the team come Terry Faniolua who goes to insider centre with Anitelea Tuilagi shifting to outside centre. Alesana Tuilagi comes off the bench and into the right-wing berth. John Senio drops to the bench to make way for Notise Tauafao at scrumhalf.

Semo Sititi comes back to No.8 and leads the team and Iosefa Taina comes off the bench and onto the flank. The other change in the pack is at hooker with the return of experienced Jonathon Meredith.

Manu Samoa are already sure of going to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. All that will be decided on Saturday is which pool they will be in and who will win the Pacific Tri-Nations. For Fiji to overtake Samoa they will have to win by 36 points or more, which seems unlikely.

When the two teams met in Apia, Samoa won 36-10.

Manu Samoa: 15  Tanner Vili, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Anitelea Tuilagi, 12 Terry Fanolua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Roger Warren, 9 Notise Tauafao, 8 Semo Sititi (captain), 7 Iosefa Taina, 6 Simaka Mikaele, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Opeta Palepoi,  3 Census Johnson, 2 Jonathon Meredith, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Loleni Tafunai,  17 Donald Kerslake, 18 Paul Tupai, 19 Daniel Farani, 20 John Senio/Lolo Lui, 21 Faletoese Talapusi, 22 David Lemi.

Coaches:  Laauli Michael Jones, Papaliitetele Peter Fatialofa, Toleafoa Andy Aiolupo
Manager:  Tupaimatuna Romeo Ah Chong

Date: 30 July 2005
Kick-off: 15.00 (local time)
Venue: Post Fiji Stadium, Suva
Referee: Scott Young (Australia)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Brett Bowden (Australia)