Bath Rugby flanker Alafoti Faosiliva will tomorrow start at blindside flanker for Samoa in their first ever Test on home soil against New Zealand (live on Sky Sports 1 at 2.45am).
The 29-year-old, who has scored four tries in 12 appearances for his country, is a former IRB World Sevens Player of the Year nominee. Fa'osiliva starts in a Samoa squad with a strong English club presence, including the likes of Northampton Saints' Kahn Fotuali'i and Bristol Rugby's Jack Lam. Former Bath tighthead Anthony Perenise is named on the bench.
The All Blacks are at near full-stength for the Test in Apia, with Dan Carter and captain Richie McCaw both starting.
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Paul Perez, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusiata Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (c), 7 Jack Lam, 6 Alafoti Faosiliva, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Wayne Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo
Replacements: 16 Ma'atulimanu Leiataua, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Iosefa Tekori, 19 Maurie Faasavalu, 20 Peleifofoga Cowley, 21 Faialaga Afamasaga, 22 Ken Pisi
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 George Moala, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Keven Mealamu, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Luke Romano, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 8 Kieran Read
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Charlie Ngatai
