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Sopoaga misses out as Samoa make three changes for Argentina / Photo: © AFP
Sopoaga misses out as Samoa make three changes for Argentina
Former All Black Lima Sopoaga misses out through injury as Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua on Wednesday made three changes to the team to face Argentina at the World Cup.
Paul Alo-Emile comes in at tighthead prop in place of Michael Alaalatoa while Brian Alainu'u'ese is picked at lock with Theo McFarland moving into the back row and Taleni Seu dropping to the bench.
"Brian's been working really, generally well. This is a game that we thought his strengths would be utilised, especially around the set piece," said Mapusua.
In the backs, Ben Lam comes in on the left wing with Nigel Ah Wong swapping flanks and Danny Toala starting on the bench for Friday's Pool D encounter.
"Ben brings a lot on the edge for us.
"He's a very big man who can move quickly and is a genuine threat with the ball in hand, so we're spreading our attack.
"Ben brings a lot into the wide channels just with his pure power and the way he plays the game," said Mapusua.
Lam was injured during a warm-up match against invitational side the Barbarians in Brive last month.
"We're looking forward to finally getting him on the field this weekend."
Sopoaga, who was a replacement in Samoa's opening 43-10 victory over World Cup debutants Chile, has had a bad few days after losing his kicking tee following Saturday's match.
He has been ruled out with a calf strain, but has also had to put up with some mischievous banter from his team-mates.
"I think he's still looking for it," joked former Australia fly-half Christian Leali'ifano, who has taken advantage of a change in World Rugby eligibility rules to represent the country of his origins.
"Like any kicker he's obviously had that one since he was 14, it's something you hold almost as close as a baby," said the 35-year-old, who played 26 times for the Wallabies.
"Hopefully the world out there can find his tee, something like that is pretty sentimental to him. The boys have been mocking him a bit this week saying, 'is it this one?'."
Prop Charlie Faumuina and backs Melani Matavao and D'Angelo Leuila come into the matchday 23 having not been picked against Chile.
The Samoans face an Argentina side desperate to make up for their lacklustre opening performance when they lost 27-10 against 14-man England.
Team (15-1)
Duncan Paia'aua; Nigel Ah Wong, UJ Seuteni, Tumua Manu, Ben Lam; Christian Leali'ifano, Jonathan Taumateine; Steven Luatua, Fritz Lee, Theo McFarland; Chris Vui (capt), Brian Alainu'u'ese; Paul Alo-Emile, Seilala Lam, James Lay
Replacements: Sama Malolo, Charlie Faumuina, Michael Alaalatoa, Taleni Seu, Sa Jordan Taufua, Melani Matavao, D'Angelo Leuila, Danny Toala
Coach: Seilala Mapusua (SAM)
M. dos Santos--JDB
