Rugby: Samoa rely on extra muscle

CARDIFF - Lock Lio Falaniko has been brought in as Samoa's main reinforcement for their final World Cup pool rugby match, and perhaps their last appearance in the tournament, against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium tomorrow.

Falaniko comes in to partner lineout specialist Lama Tone in a pack who under-performed when losing 16-32 to Argentina on Monday.

The one other forward change sees the return of Craig Glendinning to the openside flank, which enables Junior Paramore to go back to the blindside.

The casualties in the forwards from the Argentina match are Opeta Palepoi and Wellington representative Sene Ta'ala, who were at lock and blindside flank respectively.

The only change in the backline is at centre, where veteran To'o Vaega returns for George Leaupepe.

Vaega, wing Brian Lima, first five-eighths Stephen Bachop and No 8 and captain Pat Lam are survivors from Samoa's famous 1991 World Cup pool win over Wales.

The only survivor in the Wales side is second five-eighths Scott Gibbs.

Samoan coach Bryan Williams said yesterday that despite a lame display, especially by the pack against Argentina, he and his selectors had not been tempted to make sweeping changes.

"You have a gut feeling who your best players are and you stick with them," he said.

His options, too, were somewhat limited, particularly at prop.

The loss of promising tighthead prop Fosi Pala'amo to a knee injury soon after the selection of the tournament squad had been a serious setback.

That had been aggravated by a persistent calf injury to Kepi Faiva'ai which has prevented him playing a game.

Falaniko had missed the match against Argentina because of a problem with boils.

Meanwhile, Welsh coach Graham Henry has selected former captain Gareth Llewellyn to start his first international game for 18 months.

The lock was one of five changes announced by Henry yesterday for a game he expects to be very physical.

Llewellyn, with 63 caps since making his debut 10 years ago, replaces the injured Craig Quinnell and is joined at lock by Chris Wyatt.

First-choice wingers Gareth Thomas and Dafydd James return, as does Scott Quinnell at No 8, while Martyn Williams remains in the loose forwards.

But, despite the injury risk, he resisted the temptation for wholesale changes.

"We respect Samoa and we want to win this game. We want the situation to be in our hands and we still have to improve to be competitive later in the competition," Henry said.

He had a special word for first five-eighths Neil Jenkins, who will equal Ieuan Evans' Welsh record of 72 caps and will almost certainly become the sport's highest scorer in tests.

He is level with Australian Michael Lynagh on 911 points.

"I've been coaching 27 years and he is right up there with the most professional sportsmen I've met," Henry said.

"He goalkicks religiously for hours and hours at certain times every week and quite often in pretty lonely situations. A lot of work goes into putting the ball through the posts on match day."

Samoa: Silao Leaega, Afato So'oalo, To'o Vaega, Brian Lima, Va'aiga Tuigamala, Stephen Bachop, Steven So'oialo, Pat Lam (captain), Craig Glendinning, Lio Falaniko, Lama Tone, Junior Paramore, Robbie Ale, Trevor Leota, Brendan Reidy. Reserves: George Leaupepe, Earl Va'a, Jon Clarke, Semo Sititi, Sene Ta'ala, Mike Mika, Onehunga Matauiau.

Wales: Shane Howarth, Gareth Thomas, Mark Taylor, Dafydd James, Scott Gibbs, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley (captain), Scott Quinnell, Brett Sinkinson, Chris Wyatt, Gareth Llewellyn, Martyn Williams, David Young, Garin Jenkins, Peter Rogers. Reserves: Stephen Jones, Jason Jones-Hughes, David Llewellyn, Mike Voyle, Ben Evans, Andy Lewis, Geraint Lewis. - NZPA