Samoa change four for South Africa Rugby World Cup clash

Image: Samoa's Mike Stanley will start against South Africa

Samoa have made four changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's World Cup clash with South Africa at Villa Park.

There is one change to the back-line which started in the 25-16 victory over the USA - Mike Stanley, who had a brief spell at Ulster last season, comes in at fly-half with Tusi Pisi dropping to the bench.

TJ Ioane comes into the back-row at No 6 in place of former Harlequins flanker Maurie Fa'asavalu who has a calf injury, and hooker Matu Matu'u starts in place of Ole Avei.

Northampton paceman George Pisi comes onto the bench along with Vavae Tuilagi - the fifth Tuilagi brother to play for Samoa.

The three Pisi brothers - Ken, George and Tui - have never been named in the same Samoa 23 before. If they make it onto the field at the same time it will be the first time they have played together since their days at North Harbour in New Zealand.

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Former Saracens prop Census Johnston is named in the 23 for the first time since the All Blacks Test match in Apia.

Stanley's first senior club was Saracens, and he played for England's age group teams. He is the nephew of former All Blacks hard man Joe Stanley and a cousin of footballer Tim Cahill.

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Image: Tim Nanai-Williams goes over to score his team's opening try against the USA

Head coach Stephen Betham said he had every faith Stanley can direct play for the Samoans. 

"We think we're very fortunate to have great options for this position - all our 10s are solid, and reliable, but they all offer slightly different game options. Tusi will be an important influence off the bench for us," he said.

"In fact our entire bench is going to be important and we've looked at the best possible combinations, and the best possible people to give us platforms and momentum right through the 80 minutes.

"We know South Africa is going to come at us hard, and fast. A wounded Springbok is going to be a very dangerous animal but we are prepared for that."

Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Mike Stanley, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 1 Sakaria Taulafo, 2 Motu Matu'u, 3 Anthony Perenise, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 5 Iosefa Tekori, 6 TJ Ioane, 7 Jack Lam, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (captain),

Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Census Johnston, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Vavae Tuilagi, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Tusi Pisi, 23 George Pisi

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