Samoa coach Michael Jones acclaimed South Africa on Tuesday as potentially the best side in the world after naming his team for Saturday’s one-off Test.
”To play against the might of the Springboks at Ellis Park is the ultimate and it will provide a benchmark for the players as we look at the bigger picture, which is the World Cup in September,” Jones told reporters.
”The Springboks are potentially the best team in the world right now and it is a chance of a lifetime, a great privilege, to have this opportunity.”
Jones was a member of the only New Zealand All Blacks side to win the World Cup at the inaugural 1987 tournament.
Samoa have made three changes to the side who lost to Australia A in the Pacific Six Nations tournament last week, with experienced wing Lome Fa’atau and hooker Mahonri Schwalger returning and Justin Purdie coming in on the flank.
Jones said the continued well-being of Samoan rugby and the hopes of the sport becoming a global game depended on such matches.
”We need these games. The Pacific Six Nations tournament is good, but I would like to see more fully fledged Tests against South Africa and Australia.
”We have to fight for our piece of the action. It’s about bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots, otherwise global rugby never arrives,” he said.
Saturday’s encounter will be Samoa’s fifth Test in South Africa, with the Pacific Islanders losing all four previous meetings by heavy margins. — Reuters
Samoa:
Gavin Williams; Lome Fa’atau, Anitelela Tuilagi, Seilala Mapusua, Alesana Tuilagi; Loki Crichton, Steven So’oalo; Semo Sititi (captain), Justin Purdie, Daniel Leo; Filipo Levi, Kane Thompson; Census Johnston, Mahonri Schwalger, Justin Va’a. Replacements: Muliufi Salanoa, Donald Kerslake, Iosefa Tekori, Alfie Vaeluaga, Junior Poluleuligaga, Elvis Sevealii, David Levi.