Manusina Rugby Team to Play Australia A
The Manusina XV management has made several changes to it’s playing squad of 23 for Tuesday’s game against Australia A in the Oceania Championship at Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji.
As the game has no bearing on the 2021 World Cup qualifying section of the tournament, management say they have made changes to give players extra game time.
“This is also an opportunity for some players to put their hand up to make the team for the crucial game against Fiji on Saturday.”
The match against Fiji this Saturday determines who qualifies for the 2021 Womens Rugby World Cup. Manusina played Fiji already last week and although it was levelled at 7-7 at halftime, Samoa lost 26-7.
Headcoach Ramsey Tomokino is fielding a completely new front row in Cynthia Apineru, Aigaevalu Samau Timani and Jennifer Simati.
Mary Auvele gets her first start when she packs down with right lock Easter Savelio and Alafou Fatu will get her first start at scrum half.
Two positional changes will see Elita Taito moving to the back of the scrum at number eight and Luisa Gago who has been performing well shifts to the left wing.
Manager Nick Bakullich said Nina Foaese has been rested after a nasty head clash during the match against Fijiana last Friday.
“The game against Fiji is certainly our main focus but i’ts nice to have the opportunity to come up against Australia A while the chance presents itself,” said coach Tomokino.
The game kicks off at 2:30pm Samoa time from Churchill Park, Lautoka.
THE TEAM TO PLAY AUSTRALIA ‘A’:
1. LOOSEHEAD PROP: CYNTHIA APINERU
2. HOOKER: AIGAEVALU SAMAU TIMANI
3. TIGHTHEAD PROP: JENNIFER SIMATI
4. LEFT LOCK: MARY AUVELE
5. RIGHT LOCK: EASTER SAVELIO
6. LEFT FLANKER: ALYCE SOLAESE
7. RIGHT FLANKER: (vc) SUI PAUARAISA
8. NUMBER EIGHT: ELIETA TAITO
9. SCRUM HALF: ALAFOU FATU
10. FLY HALF: BELLA MILO (C)
11. LEFT WING: LOUISA GAGO
12. LEFT CENTRE: BILLY-JEAN ALE
13. RIGHT CENTRE: JOSEPHINE FALESITA
14. RIGHT WING: APAAU MAILAU
15. FULL BACK: SIENI MOSE AVIATA SAMAU
RESERVES:
16. FRONT ROW: HOPE SA’U
17. FRONT ROW: MOLLY MALIGI
18. FRONT ROW: MAKI VAIOUGA
19. MARILYN LIVE
20. MARY-LEE SA’U
21. JHANA MAGELE
22. LINDA FIAFIA
23. ANNA-HELEN VAOTUUA
(13)
