Former Australia flyhalf Christian Leali’ifano will start in Samoa’s World Cup opener against Chile on Saturday, the Samoan Rugby Union announced.
Leali’ifano, 35, replaces ex-New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga for this weekend’s game in Bordeaux, four years after featuring for the Wallabies in the tournament.
Leali’ifano switched countries this year benefitting from a World Rugby rule change.
Chile lost 42-12 to Japan in their opening game last Sunday. After Los Condores, Samoa play Argentina, Japan and England in Pool D.
Samoa – 15 Duncan Paia’aua, 14 Danny Toala, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Nigel Ah Wong, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Theo McFarland, 4 Chris Vui (co-capt), 3 Michael Aalaalatoa (co-capt), 2 Seilala Lam, 1 James Lay.
Subs: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Samuel Slade, 20 Sa Jordan Taufua, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Ed Fidow
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Photo: William West/AFP