Test Rugby: Pacific Nations Cup-Japan v Samoa

18.06.2009
Japan v Samoa in Sigatoka

Preview
This will be Japan's first game at this tournament. They came fresh from some easy wins in the Asia Five Nations compeition but will find Samoa a much different propspect. The Samoans are fresh from a very tough one point loss to the Junior All Blacks on Saturday. When the two teams met in last years competition in Apia, a high-scoring match resulted in Samoa winning 37-31.

Previous Encounters
05.07.2008 Samoa 37-31 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
16.06.2007 Samoa 13-3 in Sendai (Pacific Nations Cup)
17.06.2006 Samoa 53-9 in New Plymouth (Pacific Five Nations)
04.07.2001 Samoa 47-8 in Tokyo (Pacific Rim Semi-final)
10.06.2000 Samoa 68-9 in Apia (Pacific Rim)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Samoa 13th, Japan 14th

Prediction: Samoa by 8 points

Teams

Japan
15 Jack Tarrant (Mitsubishi Sagamihara)
14 Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory)
13 Koji Taira (Suntory)
12 Ryan Nicholas (Suntory)
11 Koji Tomioka
10 Shaun Webb (World/Coca-Cola)
9 Fumiaki Tanaka (Sanyo)
8 Takashi Kukutani (Capt.) (Toyota)
7 Touetsu Taufa (Kintetsu)
6 Michael Leitch (Tokai University)
5 Luke Thompson (Kintetsu)
4 Yuji Kitagawa (Kanto Gakuin University)
3 Hisateru Hirashima (Kobe)
2 Yusuke Aoki (Suntory)
1 Hiroshi Yamashita (Kobe)
Replacements
Not confirmed
Head Coach: John Kirwan

Constructed from http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=601&Itemid=2

Samoa
1. Justin Vaa
2. Mahonri Schwalger
3. Fosi Palaamo
4. Daniel Leo
5. Filipo Levi
6. William Brame
7. Ofisa Treviranus
8. George Stowers, Capt.
9. Notise Tauafao
10. Uale Ma’i
11. Henry Faafili
12. Eliota Fuimaono
13. Gavin Williams
14. Sailosi Tagicakibau
15. Lolo Lui.
Reserves
16. Ernest Skelton
17. Andrew Williams
18. Jonathan Faamatuainu
19. Semo Sititi
20. Junior Poluleuigaga
21. Reupena Levasa
22. Esera Lauina
Head Coach: Fuimaono Tafua.

http://www.samoarugbyunion.ws/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=32&Itemid=254