Manu Samoa faces Japan in a repeat of their World Cup encounter in the Pacific Nations Cup semi-final in Tokyo on Sunday and a strong team has been named to avenge the 28-22 loss.

Head coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger has named Aki Seiuli, Sama Malolo and Marco Fepuleai as the front three. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee and Samuel Slade will be at locks.

Captain Theo McFarland and Izaiha Moore-Aiono are on the flanks with the stocky Iakopo Petelo Mapu completing the trio of loose forwards at number eight.

The in-form Melani Matavao get the nod to start at halfback as Rodney Iona has been given the flyhalf role. 

Former sevens player Elisapeta Alofipo makes his XVs debut for Manu Samoa on the blindside wing. Alapati Leiua and Lalomilo Lalomilo share responsibility as inside and outside centres.

Tuna Tuitama who has been impressive will be on openside wing with Tomasi Alosio as fullback.

Luteru Tolai, Andrew Tuala, Brook Toomalatai, Michael Curry, Murphy Taramai, Danny Tusitala, Afa Moleli and Melani Nanai are on the bench.

Head to head, Samoa and Japan have played 18 times, Samoa winning 12 of those encounters.

If Samoa does win on Sunday, they will head to the final chasing a fifth PNC title, the last of which was in 2022, while Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones will hope to make it three wins in a row in 2024 and lead the side to a potential fourth title in the final. The last time they lifted the PNC was when they hosted the RWC in 2019.

The quick style of play has seen the Brave Blossoms beat Canada and the USA with the Japanese having the best percentage in the tournament for crossing the gain line with ball-in-hand carries (72 per cent). The Brave Blossoms are tied for most tries in the competition so far with 13 – the same number as Fiji.

Japan’s Seungsin Lee is also the current top points scorer with a haul of 36 points from the 2 matches.

Interestingly, both Japan and Samoa are ranked highest in the PNC 2024 for most offloads- so expect a high-tempo and free-flowing match in humid conditions.

The match