Samoa bench Pisi brothers for South Africa

Samoa coach Stephen Betham has named his Rugby World cup team to play South Africa and brought in Mike Stanley for Tusi Pisi who has paid the price for erratic kicking against the United States.

Twenty-five-year-old Stanley came on for Samoa with around 20 minutes remaining against United States and this week he starts against a Springbok team smarting from the biggest upset in World Cup history.

Coach Stephen Betham refused to criticise Pisi after the 25-16 win over the Americans but the 33-year-old missed several penalties which against a more experienced side could have been more costly.

The only consolation for Pisi is that his brother George has been promoted to the replacements bench. If they both get a run, Samoa side could feature three brothers at the same time as Ken starts the match.

Two other new faces in the starting XV are flanker TJ Ioane — who was not in the matchday 23 for the USA game — and hooker Moto Matu’u who came on during the opening win.

They replace Maurie Fa’asavalu and Ole Avei respectively.

Many of the squad have already played South Africa. Eight were involved in Samoa’s 56-23 defeat in Pretoria in June 2013.

No less than 10 remain from the 13-5 loss in the last World Cup and wing Alesana Tuilagi, lock Iosefa Tekori and prop Census Johnston played in the 59-7 thrashing inflicted by the ‘Boks at the 2007 World Cup.

Samoa

Tim Nanai-Williams; Ken Pisi, Paul Perez, Rey Lee-Lo, Alesana Tuilagi; Mike Stanley, Kahn Fotuali’i; Ofisa Treviranus (capt), Jack Lam, TJ Ioane; Iosefa Tekori, Teofilo Paulo; Anthony Perenise, Motu Matu’u, Sakaria Taulafo.

Replacements: Ole Avei, Viliamu Afatia, Census Johnston, Faifili Levave, Vavae Tuilagi, Vavao Afemai, Tusi Pisi, George Pisi