SOPOAGA SITS OUT ARGENTINA GAME DUE TO INJURY
Lima Sopoaga (Photo: Manu Samoa)
Lima Sopoaga, Manu Samoa's first-five-eighth, is sidelined due to an injury, and coach Seilala Mapusua changed the starting lineup on Wednesday in anticipation of their World Cup encounter against Argentina.
Paul Alo-Emile takes over at tighthead prop for Michael Alaalatoa, and Brian Alainu'u'ese is chosen as the lock. Theo McFarland and Taleni Seu are moved to the back row and the bench, respectively.
"Overall, Brian has been working very well. We anticipated that his skills would be put to good use in this particular game, particularly in relation to the set piece," said Mapusua.Danny Toala will start on the bench for Friday's Pool D match, and Ben Lam will start on the left wing with Nigel Ah Wong switching flanks.
"We're spreading our assault because he's a big, quick player who poses a real threat with the ball in his hands. Ben's raw power and his style of play alone add a lot to the big channels," stated Mapusua.
Lam suffered an injury in last month's exhibition game in Brive versus the Barbarians, an invited team.
"This coming weekend, we're excited to finally have him play," said Mapusua. After losing his kicking tee after Sunday's game, Sopoaga, a replacement in Samoa's opening 43-10 triumph over Chile, has had a difficult few days.
He has a calf strain that has forced him to miss the game, but he has also had to put up with some playful taunting from his teammates.
Former Australian fly-half Christian Leali'ifano, who is using a change in World Rugby eligibility rules to play for his own country, said, "I think he's still looking for it."
The 35-year-old, who played 26 times for the Wallabies, added, "Like any kicker, he's obviously had that one since he was 14, it's something you hold almost as close as a baby."
Something like that is really sentimental to him, so perhaps the world can find his t-shirt. This week, the lads have made fun of him a little by asking, "Is it this one? "
Melani Matavao, D'Angelo Leuila, Charlie Faumuina, and three backs who weren't selected against Chile, are among the players that are playing against Argentina.
The Argentina team that will face the Samoans is eager to redeem itself after their lackluster debut, which saw them lose 27-10 to England with 14 men.