Toa Samoa Head Coach Ben Gardiner has made three changes to his side that will take on Mate Ma’a Tonga this coming Sunday.
Gardiner’s side just fell short at the hands of the Kiwis over the weekend in a nail biting 24-18 loss infront of a frantic crowd and sea of Samoan flags.
To throw salt on the wound, Gardiner picked up three injuries to Jaydn Su’a, Ata Mariota and Jazz Tevaga, all to concussions.
Su’a started in the second row against the Kiwi’s and was impressive defensively until he sustained a head knock.
Canberra Raiders youngster Simi Sasagi will be promoted from the bench to the starting 13 in place of Su’a.
Benaiah Ioelu, initially named as 18th man last week, made his debut against the Kiwi’s when Samoa activated their 18th man after concussions to Tevaga and Su’a.
This week Ioelu will have a more prominent role as he takes Sasagi’s bench spot.
Jazz Tevaga started at hooker for Samoa last weekend until a head knock and a failed side line head injury assessment ruled him out for the remainder of the match.
Tevaga is named to start at hooker again this week but could still be ruled out if symptoms occur throughout the week.
If this is the case, Tevaga will be replaced by Channel Harris-Tavita who is currently named to come off the bench in the 14 jersey.
Ata Mariota is a promising young prospect also from the Canberra Raiders. He was on the field for all but one minute against the Kiwi’s before he sustained a terrible head knock which saw him carried off the field.
Mariota’s spot on the bench is taken by Ativalu Lisati, Melbourne Storms 6ft, 100kg prop.
The interesting news is the inclusion of Terrell May.
May was one of the NRL’s best props this season and was initially named on the bench against the Kiwi’s. May was ruled out with a hamstring injury which bumped Mariota from the reserves to the bench.
May’s inclusion in the reserves means that Ben Gardiner has until Friday to include him in the match day team if he is healthy.
Coach Gardiner has named an unchanged backline for Sunday’s game with Brian To’o and Murray Taulagi named on the wing, and Rodger Tuivasa-Sheck named at fullback.
Izack Tago and Deine Mariner remain as the centre pairing while Blaize Talagi and Co-Captain Jarome Luai named as the halves pairing.
Power forwards Josh Papali’i and Payne Hass make up an unchanged prop pairing with Co-Captain Junior Paulo starting at lock.
This comes as a must win match for Toa Samoa if they have any aspirations of reaching the Pacific Championship Final in Sydney.
Toa Samoa vs Mate Ma’a Tonga
Kickoff: 6:00pm (Samoan Time)
Date: Sunday 26 October
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