Samoa ring changes for crunch World Cup clash

Toa Samoa have rung the changes for Saturday's decisive Rugby League World Cup clash against Scotland.

Fa'amanu Brown will partner Jarome Luai in the halves in Cairns, while Matthew Wright replaces Ken Maumalo on the wing and Frank Winterstein and Bunty Afoa will start up front in place of Leeson Ah Mau and Frank Pritchard.

Sam Tagataese has been named captain in Pritchard's absence, although the veteran backrower will start from the interchange bench.

After opening defeats against New Zealand and Tonga, the Toa must win their final group match to advance to the quarter finals.

Their chances were boosted when three Scottish players, including captain Danny Brough, were sent home after they were denied entry onto a flight for being too drunk.

Prop Luke Douglas will captain Scotland in their final group match.

Konrad Hurrell has been recalled to the centres for Tonga's blockbuster clash against New Zealand in Hamilton, in place of the injured Solomone Kata while Sione Katoa takes the number nine jersey from Saliva Havili.

Fiji have named an unchanged line-up for Friday night's match against Italy, although the Bati will have to contend with a Canberra return for Raiders legend Terry Campese, who's recovered from a calf injury to start at five eighth, opposite Jarryd Hayne.

Dual international Mirco Bergamasco, who played 89 rugby union tests for Italy before switching codes, has also been included in the wider squad.

 

Photo: PHOTOSPORT Samoa's Fa'amanu Brown looks to breach the Tongan defence.