Four debutants named in Manu Samoa starting team against Tonga

By Thomas Airey • 25 July 2019, 5:05PM

Four debutants have been named in the Manu Samoa starting XV for Saturday's Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga.

Manu Samoa Head Coach, Vaeluagaomatagi Steve Jackson is handing starting debuts to the Bordeaux club pair number eight, Afasetiti Amosa, and first five, Ulupano Seuteni, while Manu Sevens players past and present Belgium Tuatagaloa and Johnny Vaili will start on the wing.

There will be plenty of experience standing between Seuteni and the wingers, including veteran midfield duo Rey Lee-Lo and Alapati Leiua, while Amosa joins former captain Tupa'i Chris Vui and TJ Ioane in the loose forwards.

A further three players are in line to earn their first test caps off the bench, in the 23-man squad revealed on Thursday: prop Alofaaga Sao, lock Senio Toleafoa and loose forward Alamanda Motuga

Tonga's starting XV includes three players making test debuts, one of whom is lock Sam Lousi, who last played for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and has just signed for Welsh club Scarlets.

The 27-year-old suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in the Super Rugby pre-season, which led the Hurricanes to bring in his opposite, Manu Samoa lock Kane Le'aupepe as injury cover.

The Ikale Tahi side also features Leon Fukofuka, who captained Kagifa Samoa in their first season of Global Rapid Rugby.

Kickoff is at Apia Park at 3 pm on Saturday.