Kahn Fotuali'i to captain Samoa against All Blacks

Image: Kahn Fotuali'i will lead Samoa in Auckland on Friday

Bath scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i will captain Samoa in their one-off Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Friday, live on Sky Sports.

Fotuali'i will lead the side in the absence of regular captain David Lemi, while Ospreys' Kieron Fonotia will make his Test debut for Samoa.

The 29-year-old Fonotia, who spent three seasons with the Crusaders before joining the Ospreys, will be joined in midfield by former Hurricanes utility back Alapati Leiua.

Former Auckland scrum-half Auvasa Falealii and Stade Francais prop Paul Alo-Emile could also make their Test debuts off the bench in the match, which New Zealand are using to prepare for the British and Irish Lion series.

Image: Ospreys' Kieron Fonotia (right) will make his Samoa debut on Friday

"Obviously losing the experience that both these players bring is crucial and David's leadership will be missed, however Kahn Fotuali'i is more than capable of stepping up to lead," coach Alama Ieremia said in a statement.

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"And to be able to replace those players with Alapati Leiua and Fonotia is a good test of the depth we can draw into.

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"Obviously we want to put out an experienced team and the All Blacks is not a team you experiment with, so we are wanting to put on a performance that will make our nation and most importantly ourselves proud."

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Samoa have lost all six of their previous tests against New Zealand, most recently a 25-16 reverse in Apia in 2015.

Samoa: 15 Ah See Tuala, 14 Albert Nikoro, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Tim Nanai Williams, 10 Tusiata Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotualii (c), 1 Viliamu Afatia, 2 Maatulimanu Leiataua, 3 Census Johnston, 4 Chris Vui, 5 Faatiga Lemalu, 6 Piula Faasalele, 7 Jack Lam, 8 Faifili Levave.

Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Nephi Leatigaga, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Taiasina Tuifua, 20 Alafoti Faosiliva, 21 Auvasa Falealii, 22 D'Angelo Leuila, 23 Ken Pisi.

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