Pacific

Samoa faces next European rugby challenge

10:50 am on 12 July 2024

Samoa faces Spain at Apia Park on Saturday. Photo: Facebook

International rugby is back at Samoa's Apia Park for the second week running, with Manu Samoa playing Spain on Saturday.

Coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger has made several changes to the side which beat Italy last week, including Melani Matavao moving from the bench to starting at halfback, and Stacey Ili, who was also in the reserves last week, starting on the wing.

Theo MacFarland will captain the side from flanker.

The game kicks off at 4pm, Samoa time.

Last week Manu Samoa had a come-from-behind victory over Italy, 33-25 - with tries to Afa Moleli, Nigel Ah-Wong, Izaiha Moore-Aiono and Danny Toala.

As a result of the win, they moved up a spot in the world rankings - overtaking Georgia, who lost to Fiji, into 13th.

Fiji moved back into the top 10 after their victory in Georgia, replacing Wales, which is out of the top 10 for the first time ever.

Australia moved up a place, above Italy.

South Africa remains world number one.

Meanwhile, the Ikale Tahi play Italy on Friday afternoon at Teufaiva Stadium.

Ben Temeifuna will captain the side from the front row, with Malakai Fekitoa his vice-captain.

Six debutants have been named in the matchday 23.

Kickoff is 3pm, Tonga time.

Also this weekend, the All Blacks and England square off in the second test of the series at Eden Park.

England made only one injury-enforced change to the team that led 15-10 in the second half in Dunedin with Fin Baxter handed his first test start at loosehead prop in place of Joe Marler.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has also kept faith in his team, bringing only Finlay Christie into the starting side at halfback for the injured TJ Perenara with the uncapped Cortez Ratima as cover on the bench.

"We need ... a little bit more game plan execution," Robertson said of the improvements he would like to see for his second match in charge.

"Everyone knows where the classroom is now. It's like the first week of school, you take a while to get your bearings, but we've got that now."