Wales v Samoa: Worcester Warriors star David Lemi fit to captain visitors
Wales v Samoa: Worcester Warriors star David Lemi is passed fit to captain the visitors at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night
David Lemi has proved his fitness to captain Samoa against Wales in their autumn international clash at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night.
The Worcester Warriors man missed the 42-13 victory against Canada in Colwyn Bay last weekend but came through a fitness test to claim his place on the left wing and line up opposite Alex Cuthbert.
It means rising 20-year-old star Robert Lilomaiava, who scored four tries against Canada, has to be content with a spot on the replacements bench.
Rob Howley’s side were beaten 26-12 by Argentina, and Samoa’s assistant coach Daryl Suasua has warned his side to expect a response from the Six Nations champions.
“We know how strong Wales are – especially at the Millennium Stadium – and we wont pay to much attention to last week’s performance against Argentina because Wales will not let that happen against,” said Suasua.
“It has been especially valuable for us to have had this time together, first at the camp in Surrey and then in North Wales, because it is always difficult for us to get everyone together in the same place at the same time.
“But when we are together we can concentrate on our patterns and philosophies and, most importantly, have the guys together as a team.”
The last time the nations met Wales beat Samoa 17-10 at the Waikato Stadium in the group stages of the 2011 World Cup, with Samoa expected to field seven survivors from their starting line-up in Hamilton, including Ospreys scrum half Kahn Fotifua.
Samoa: F Autagavaia (Northland); P Perez (Eastern Province), G Pisi (Northampton), P Williams (Stade Francais), D Lemi (Worcester, captain); T Pisi (Suntory), K Fotuali’i (Ospreys); S Taulafo (Wasps), O Avei (Bordeaux-Begles), C Johnston (Toulouse), D Leo (Perpignan), T Paulo (North Harbour), O Treviranus (London Irish), M Fa’asavalu (Harlequins), T Tuifua (Newcastle).
Replacements: T Paulo (Clermont Auvergne), V Afatia (Agen), J Johnston (Harlequins), F Lemalu (Mont de Marsan), T Fomai (Hawke’s Bay), J Su’a (Tasman), J Leota (Sale), R Lilomaiava (Laulii).
