Manu Samoa

Fuimaono was appointed to a second stint in charge in September last year, following the resignation of Namulauulu Alama Ieremia.

The Manu failed to win a game during their end of year tour and were also beaten by local rivals Fiji and Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Fuimaono's only success came in home and away victories against Germany that ended a nine-test losing streak and secured qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Four years ago Tim Nanai-Williams switched allegiance from New Zealand to Samoa, playing in four tournaments on the global sevens circuit to make himself eligible for the Manu Samoa fifteen-a-side team.

SRU High Performance Unit Manager Zane Hilton said the criteria has since changed, with players wanting to switch now required to compete in five tournaments in the upcoming season, which doubles as an Olympic qualifier, provided they have a passport for the second country and have completed a minimum three year stand down period.

The hard-fought victory, combined with the 66-15 first leg win in Apia, confirmed a 108-43 aggregate win and a place in Pool A alongside Ireland, Scotland, Japan and Russia.

Germany were leading the second leg 28-21 with 10 minutes remaining, but Samoa showed their dominance to run away with another convincing win.

The Samoans have played at the last seven Rugby World Cups, and their best result was the quarterfinals at their first two in 1991 and 1995.

It is not all over for Germany who will now compete in the four-team repecharge in November in Marseille.

Joe Tekori and Brandon Nansen form a new locking duo while Patrick Fa'apale will run proceedings at first five.

Josh Tyrell failed to recover from an injury sustained in training last week while captain Chris Vui moves from the second row to the blindside flank, in place of the injured Piula Fa'asalele.

Tusi Pisi moves out to second receiver after Alapati Leuia was excused from selection due to family commitments.

There's also four changes in the reserves, with Taula Eels halfback Ionatana Tino poised to make his test debut off the bench.

The 30 year old was discharged without conviction last month after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and without a licence.

Tupou was stood down for the final two World Series tournaments and, alongside La'aloi Leilua and Murphy Paulo, will make his first appearance for the Manu 7s since March.

10 of the 14-man World Cup squad have been retained from the London and Paris legs, while Gordon Langkilde has is set to make his first appearance since before the Commonwealth Games, after overcoming injury concerns.

Doncaster Knights lock Tyrell and Toulouse flanker Faʻasalele both started in the 66-15 first leg victory in Apia nine days ago.

Head coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua said the pair suffered the injuries during a training camp in England at the end of last week.

"Our physio and the doctor are still working trying to get them back soon," he said.

"We're not sure - we will wait until our training tomorrow. (Monday local time) will be the first date we are expecting them to train and also the whole team to train tomorrow.

“It is with great pleasure to welcome the German National Team and management to your very first visit to Samoa, and also to our own Manu Samoa team,” said Tuilaepa.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa spoke about the shared history between Samoa and Germany, highlighting the strong economic and trading links as well as the close Diplomatic ties that Samoa continues to share with Germany to this day. Tuilaepa also said that Samoa relishes the opportunity to host the German Rugby Team, despite the high stakes ahead of the looming Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification match.

Following defeats by Fiji and Tonga, Samoa has now lost nine Test matches in a row leading into this weekend's first leg of a World Cup qualifying playoff against Germany.

The Samoa Observer reported the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, telling parliament that he met the team last week and told them they had "no guts".

"I said, if you don't win this game then you all have to resign from the team," he said

Manu Samoa coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua said his players lacked commitment in the PNC but he said the results were not important.

Jordan Lay, Seilala Lam and Viliamu Afatia form a brand new front row combination, with Logovii Mulipola out injured, while Joe Tekori joins captain Chris Vui in the second row.

TJ Ioane starts on the openside flank with Jack Lam shifting to number eight.

Dwayne Polataivao gets the nod at halfback, with Alofa Alofa replacing the injured Rey Lee-Lo at centre, in his first test appearance for three years, while veteran Paul Perez comes onto the right wing.

The 'Ikale Tahi have brought in four new faces with one positional change to the run-on team.

The Manu came back from a 17-3 half time deficit lose 24-22 in Suva

Zane Hilton said with rugby World Cup qualification coming up for Samoa the time for excuses was over.

"We really understand that the country, like the team itself, we want to start to get that winning culture back," Hilton said.

"So the reality is we were extremely disappointed around our execution and the fact we let ourselves down in some key areas."