Manu Samoa

The Georgians had their own issues last week, suffering a 28-22 loss to Japan defeat in Tbilisi.

Namulauulu Alama Ieremia still expects Georgia to be a difficult assignment.

He said his team is focusing on preparing to put together a full 80 min performance after falling away against the French.

"We want to have a good look at what is a significant difference between in first half and the second half and obviously selection we'll look after that," Namulauulu said.

With Tusi Pisi out injured, Faapale is flyhalf alongside Kahn Fotuali'i as the Samoans look to upset les Bleus.

David Lemi will again lead the side.

Lemi joins Paul Perez and Paul Williams in the back-three with the experienced Rey Lee-Lo and George Pisi starting in the midfield.

North Harbour and former NZ U20 player Christopher Vui will partner with Filo Paulo in the locking combination for the Samoans.

For France, Maxime Machenaud has been selected at scrumhalf by France coach Guy Noves.

The tournament will be staged at Suncorp Stadium on February 11 and 12, and will run for the next four years.

Samoa is the only international team involved, alongside all ten New Zealand and Australian Super Rugby teams, the Bulls from South Africa, Panasonic Wild Knights from Japan and French giants Toulon.

Samoa Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai said they welcomed the opportunity to compete against some of the world's professional rugby clubs.

A team featuring nine debutants drew 19-all in Apia against a Georgian team who completed an unbeaten tour of the Pacific.

RNZI reports the Manu also had mixed results in the Pacific Nations Cup, beaten 26-16 by Fiji in Suva before ending with an emphatic 30-10 victory at home to Tonga.

Paul Perez will be starting the game at centre as Malu Falaniko replaces Albert Nikoro at fullback and Pelefofoga Cowley coming in for Dwayne Polataivao at scrum half.

"Obviously we have been waiting for these guys for a while and I'm glad Paul is here as well as Census. They bring an extra boost to both the backs and our forwards," said head coach Namulauulu Alama Ieremia.

"Malu Falaniko is a very talented young player and we look forward to how he’s going to fare against Tonga. We just have to make sure we cover all our bases tactically," he added.

RNZI reports the Polynesian rivals go head to head in tonight's opening game of the tournament in Monaco and are among 16 teams competing for the final berth in Rio.

Samoa are the tournament's top seeds after finishing ninth on the recent World Series, including victory in the Paris leg.

It was mostly a kicking game which was a surprise with Samoa's kicking almost non-existent in its previous test matches.

However, Patrick Fa’apale who played at first-five didn’t shy away from the challenge when he nailed all of his kicks at goal and a try conversion.

The playing field was leveled as rain took away the humidity that would have played a part in making the game even tougher, leading to the first half tryless, with Georgia ahead nine to Samoa's six.

"We arrived very early in the morning on Saturday last week and then we relaxed from then through Sunday and a cross country road trip to the other side of the island just to relax a little bit more.It has just been fantastic," the former head coach for the Counties Manukau said.

Milton Haig and the Georgian team even took a special fishing trip out to Samoa’s coast and caught themselves a large yellow fin tuna. However, work soon started on Tuesday morning when Haig gathered his team for the conditioning ahead of the tough clash.

One member who has been working hard and is close to achieving his dream to play for Manu Samoa is Malu Falaniko from Savai’i Island.

Falaniko attended Amoa College in Savai’i before being transferred to Leulumoega College to pursue his rugby calling.

"It has been a long time dream for me to play for Manu Samoa, as do all the other young rugby enthusiasts in the country and this is why I worked so hard to come this far. So I’m giving this my all," he told Loop Samoa.

RNZI reports the former Wellington lock is in charge of the Hurricanes lineout duties in Super Rugby and has been tasked with that and a lot more by new Manu Samoa head coach Namulauulu Alama Ieremia.