U 20

Ethan Lolesio's family wrote an open letter to Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, in his capacity as Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union.

The Australian-based player was part of the squad that competed in the Oceania Championship in Australia but after returning to Samoa the coach, Junior Leota, was replaced by Mahonri Schwalger and Lolesio was dropped from the team to compete at the Under 20 World Cup in Georgia.

Schwalger said the allegations against the SRU would never have been made if the player had been selected.

Alexander Pohla, who scored twice against Australia, moves to the left wing to accommodate the return of Ricky Pauli Ene at full-back with Godinet Tinei given the number nine jersey.

Samoa takes on Wales in its last pool game of the World Rugby U 20 Championship in Tablisi, Georgia on Thursday (local time)

Wales coach Jason Strange has freshened up his starting line-up for the match that they must win – ideally with a bonus point to avoid relegation to the second-tier U20 Trophy next year.

Despite making 13 changes from the team that thrashed Fiji by 60 points, New Zealand illustrated their depth, scoring 12 tries to overpower the Baby Manu 80-23 on the Gold Coast.

However Samoa captain Losi Filipo did not believe the lopsided scoreline was a fair reflection of his side's performance.

"We definitely made a goal for it to slow down their set-piece and I think we pretty much did that," he said.

RNZI reports the Baby Manu lead Pool A after opening wins over host nation Zimbabwe and Pacific rivals Fiji.

A win or a draw will put them 80 minutes away from promotion back to the elite Under 20 Championship, while they could sneak into the final even if they lose.