PRESS RELEASE

MANU SAMOA RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007

TOUR REPORT 7

MANU SAMOA TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR TONGA

TONGA ANNOUNCE TEAM FOR MANU SAMOA

Date:14 September 2007

Manu Samoa head Coach La’auli Michael has announced his team to play in the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool A match against the Ikale Tahi of Tonga at the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier on Sunday, (Samoa local time – Sunday, 16 September, 3.00am)

Manu Samoa Team:

1 Justin Va'a
2 Mahonri Schwalger
3 Census Johnston
4 Joe Tekori
5 Kane Thompson
6 Daniel Leo
7 Ulia Ulia
8 Semo Sititi (c)
9 Steve So'oialo
10 Loki Crichton
11 Alesana Tuilagi
12 Seilala Mapusua
13 Elvis Seveali'I
14 Sailosi Tagicakibau
15 Gavin Williams

Replacements:

16 Tanielu Fuga
17 Muliufi Salanoa
18 Leo Lafaiali'I
19 Justin Purdie
20 Junior Polu
21 Lolo Lui
22 David Lemi

Meanwhile, Brian Lima will not be available to play Tonga on Sunday after suffering a concussion in his side's first IRB Rugby World Cup Pool A match against South Africa.

Lima, has been given the all clear but head coach Michael Jones (NZL) said the 35-year-old was "definitely not ready". The Samoans have been plagued by injuries since naming their world cup squad, with three players declared unfit to play and sent home.

Jones also announced on Thursday that Sailosi Tagicakibau would be replacing centre Anitele'a Tuilagi, who left Paris on Tuesday after injuring his wrist last week.

Jones said the side were looking forward to it, despite the prospect of facing "some pretty determined, angry Tongans" - Samoa won their last meeting 50-3 in Apia in June. "We know the Tongans will be out to turn the tables on us," Jones said.

Tonga Head Coach Quddus Fielea has also announced his team to play Samoa in the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool A match at Le Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier on Sunday.

Tonga Team:

1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Ephraim Taukafa
3 Kisi Pulu
4 Inoke Afeaki
5 Paino Hehea
6 Hale T Pole
7 Nili Latu (c)
8 Finau Maka
9 Enele Taufa
10 Pierre Hola
11 Joseph Vaka
12 Epeli Taione
13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga
14 Tevita Tu'ifua
15 Vungakoto Lilo
Replacements:
16 Aleki Lutui
17 Toma Toke
18 Viliami Vaki
19 'Emosi Kauhenga
20 Sione Tu'ipulotu
21 Isileli Tupou
22 Hudson Tonga'uiha

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No	Position	Surname	First Names
1	Loosehead Prop	Vaa	Justin
2	Hooker	Schwalger	Mahonri
3	Tighthead Prop	Johnston	Census
4	Left Lock	Tekori	Iosefa
5	Right Lock	Thompson	Kane
6	Left Flanker	Leo	Daniel
7	Right Flanker	Ulia	Ulia
8	Number Eight	Sititi	Semo
9	Scrum Half	Sooialo	Steven
10	Fly Half	Crichton	Loki
11	Left Wing	Tuilagi	Alesana
12	Left Centre	Mapusua	Seilala
13	Right Centre	Sevealii	Elvis
14	Right Wing	Tagicakibau	Sailosi
15	Full Back	Williams	Gavin
RESERVES
16	Hooker	Fuga	Tanielu
17	Front Row Forward	Salanoa	Muliufi
18	Loose Forward	Lafaialii	Leo
19	Loose Forward	Purdie	Justin
20	Centre	Polu	Junior
21	Fullback	Lui	Lolo
22	Wing	Lemi	David

Samoa v Tonga
Date and Time (France):
Sunday 16th Sep at 4pm
Venue:
Stade de la Mosson,
Montpellier
Referee:
Jonathan Kaplan (RSA)
Touch Judges:
Alan Lewis (IRE)
Bryce Lawrence (NZ) 
Television Match Official:
Lyndon Bray (NZ)
Assessor:
Ian Scotney