Key events
Do you like a quiz? Who doesn’t?
We’ve got a bit of time to kill so why not take a stab at this:
Samoa team
The Samoans have had a much shorter turnaround than Argentina, having played less than seven days ago. Still, they too have opted for three changes to their side.
Paul Alo-Emile comes into the front-row, Brian Alainu’u’ese into the second-row, and Ben Lam, nephew to Bristol Bears coach, Pat, and cousin of the starting front-rower, Seilala, starts on the wing.
Samoa: Paia’aua; B Lam, Seuteni, Manu, Ah Wong; Leali’ifano, Taumateine; Lay, S Lam, Alo-Emile, Vui (cap), Alainu’u’se, McFarland, Lee, Luatua.
Replacements: Malolo, Faumuina, Aalaalatoa, Seu, Taufua, Matavao, D’Angelo Leuila, Toala.
Three changes for Argentina
It’s been 13 days since their embarrassing defeat to England (not because of the opposition. It was the performance that was a let down). Michael Cheika reckons three new faces will make a difference today.
Eduardo Bello comes into the front row, Guido Petti Pagadizabal into the second-row and Matías Moroni into the midfield.
Argetnita: Mallia; Boffelli, Moroni, Chocobares, M Carreras; Bertranou, S Carreras; Gallao, Montoya (cap), Bello, Petti, Alemanno, Matera, Kremer, Gonzalez.
Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Gomez Kodela, Rubiolo, Bruni, Cubelli, Sanchez, Cinti
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
When this match was scheduled way back when, it looked like one of those duds. You know, a game that would huff and puff but ultimately end in a predictable result. Argentina, a so-called tier-1 nation and a Rugby Championship regular, would steamroll their Samoan counterparts. The islanders would run around and chuck a bunch of off-loads but would inevitably fail bravely.
Now, I’m not so sure. Samoa were excellent against Chile. Yes, Chile, a World Cup debutant and a team at the very start of their development. But Samoa put them away with great cohesion and a dynamic pack led by Saracen’s own Theo McFarland.
A week earlier, Argentina served up absolute dross against England. I had the misfortune of being there in Marseille and I can safely say that in all my years of watching elite level rugby I’d struggle to recall a more inept performance than the one offered by the Pumas.
They have to find a higher gear. Scratch that. They have to find the ignition today. If they don’t, they may find themselves dumped out of the weakest pool in the tournament. Japan looked good against England so a victory over the Brave Blossoms is no guarantee.
Nor are they assured of a victory today. They know it. Samoa know it. I can’t wait.
A dud? Don’t count on it.
My name is Dan. You know the drill. Drop me a tweet or email.
Teams and further updates to come.
Match kicks off at 5:45 local time in Saint-Etienne/4:45 BST.
