SAMOA

Preview: Australia A v Samoa

Thursday 12th June 2008

Peter Kimlin: Retains his place after a strong showing against Japan

Australia A coach Phil Mooney has kept the nucleus of the side which dispatched Japan in Round One to play Samoa in Apia in the second round of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday.

Some fresh legs have been brought in to rejuvenate the team after a heavy travel schedule.

Wallaby Sean Hardman again starts at hooker and will be joined by Pek Cowan and Salesi Ma'afu, who comes in off the bench for Guy Shepherdson.

After scoring a brace on his Australia A debut Peter Kimlin is rewarded with another starting berth and will be joined in the second row by former Wallabies lock Al Campbell.

Matt Hodgson and Poutasi Luafutu will flank the scrum with Julian Salvi set to start at number eight.

Mooney has opted to start Patrick Phibbs against the Samoans at the expense of Brumbies team-mate Josh Holmes, who will start from the bench.

Daniel Halangahu returns to the representative arena at fly-half after Ben Lucas injured his knee in the opening minutes against Japan.

Captain Morgan Turinui will be joined in the midfield by Super 14 Rookie of the Year Tyrone Smith, while Timana Tahu, Mark Gerrard and Sam Norton-Knight form a formidable back three.

Mooney said the heavy travel schedule in the past week had made it necessary to rotate through the squad for the first two matches.

"The team coped very well in Japan despite having to play with 13 players during the second half," said Mooney.

"We have shifted some players around and brought in others to keep the team fresh and give them all an opportunity to impress.

"We know Samoa will be difficult opposition and are always up for the physical side of the game."

Australia A: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Morgan Turinui (c), 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Timana Tahu, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Julian Salvi, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Poutasi Luafutu, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Pek Cowan
Replacements:16 John Ulugia, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Van Humphries, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Scott Daruda, 22 Matt Carraro

Samoa: tbc

Date: Saturday, 14 June
Venue: Apia, Samoa
Kick off: 15:05
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)