Umaga, Jones among six Manu Samoa debutants for Scotland showdown
Photo:
Lakapi Samoa
Manu Samoa vs Scotland
Kickoff: 8:05pm Friday, 18 July
Eden Park, Auckland
Manu Samoa have named two of their young prospects to debut against Scotland on Friday night at the famous Eden Park in Auckland.
One-cap England representative Jacob Umaga will run in at the key first five position.
Umaga, initially recruited by then-coach Eddie Jones to the English side in 2020, made his only appearance for the Red Roses in July 2021, coming off the bench in England's 43-29 win over the United States.
His dad Mike Umaga won 13 caps for Manu Samoa and also played at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
His uncle, All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, is the current head coach of Moana Pasifika.
The Yorkshire-born 26-year-old can play both fly-half and fullback.
Called up by the new Manu Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi at the end of May, Jacob has been given the opportunity to mastermind the team's attack against Scotland.
Jacob Umaga will run in at the key first five position.
Photo:
Lakapi Samoa
Another player who is likely to make his debut is Moana Pasifika squad member Niko Jones, son of former All Blacks great Sir Michael Jones.
Niko has been named on the bench.
He has been in the Moana Pasifika system for two years.
Assistant coach and former Manu Samoa prop Census Johnson said the duo's inclusion and test debuts will be special, especially playing at Eden Park in front of family and fans.
"It's a special moment for them and their families, obviously, from big rugby families. It's just an opportunity for them showcase what they've got," Johnson told RNZ Pacific at the team's captain's run on Thursday morning.
"Talking with Niko over the last week or so, it's a great opportunity for him to be able to play at home, but also in front of his family.
"He hasn't had much game time, so just to be able to showcase his talents, which I don't think he has been able to the last couple of years, is something special for him."
Niko Jones, son of former All Blacks great Sir Michael Jones.
Photo:
Lakapi Samoa
Six players are set to make their debuts on Friday. The other four are hooker Pita Anae-Ah Sue, fullback Latrell Ah Kiong, front-row cover Kaynan Siteine-Tua and backline cover Connor Tupa'i.
The Manu Samoa squad, led by Saracens loose forward Theo McFarland, comprises players from clubs based in seven different countries.
Pisi said earlier this week he wants to see the side implement their game plan and set the pace for the rest of their campaign this year.
"The immediate goal is to qualify for the World Cup," Pisi said, adding that building habits that would help them achieve that is important.
"For this game coming up, it is going to be about instilling habits we want to see, being consistent in what we are trying to build our game on."
The Manu Samoa squad, led by Saracens loose forward Theo McFarland, comprises players from clubs based in seven different countries.
Photo:
Lakapi Samoa
Johnson said the squad has been preparing well and the players are keen to get out and play test footy.
"We're always given short periods of time to prepare, and sometimes you just gotta deal with what you've got to deal with, and we know there's just no excuse to trying to squeeze everything in," he said about their short preparation time.
"But it's just having having that time to really just knuckle knuckle down and have the boys sitting together and spend a bit of time and talk about gameplay stuff. So it's been good so far.
"You know, we're not kidding ourselves with what we're up against, against Scotland, you know that they're a European system, and we know where we have to front up."
Scotland, who will be playing their last three-tour matches, have a win against the Maori All Blacks and a loss to Fiji so far.
They have named British & Irish Lions bound loosehead prop Rory Sutherland and hooker Ewan Ashman in their staring lineup.
The duo are set to fly out to Melbourne to join the combined British and Irish side, who are currently going through their Australia tour.
In some changes to the lineup that lost to Fiji, head coach Gregory Townsend has left out Tom Jordan, after he fractured his hand in Suva last weekend.
Rory Hutchinson and Stafford McDowall will be the new centre pairing, with Cameron Redpath's place in the centres also taken off him.
Gregor Brown replaces Marshall Sykes in the second row and pairs up with Grant Gilchrist, while Andy Onyeama-Christie returns to the starting line-up on the side of the scrum.
Christie replaces Jamie Ritchie, who hurt his foot and was replaced after 21 minutes against Fiji last Saturday.
In a 6-2 split on the bench, prop Fin Richardson is in line for his first cap.
Manu Samoa:
1. Aki Seiuli, 2. Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Theo McFarland (captain), 7. Jonah Mau'u, 8. Taleni Seu, 9. Melani Matavao, 10. Jacob Umaga, 11. Tomasi Alosio, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Duncan Paia'aua, 14. Tuna Tuitama, 15. Latrell Ah Kiong; Bench: 16. Luteru Tolai, 17. Kaynan Siteine-Tua, 18. Marco Fepuleai, 19. Michael Curry, 20. Niko Jones, 21. Iakopo Mapu, 22. Connor Tupa'i, 23. Rodney Iona
Scotland:
1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Elliot Millar Mills, 4. Gregor Brown, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Andy Onyeama-Christie, 7. Rory Darge (captain), 8. Matt Fagerson, 9. Jamie Dobie, 10. Fergus Burke, 11. Arron Reed, 12. Stafford McDowall, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 14. Kyle Steyn, 15. Kyle Rowe; Bench: 16. George Turner, 17. Nathan McBeth, 18. Fin Richardson, 19. Cameron Henderson, 20. Marshall Sykes, 21. Ben Muncaster, 22. George Horne, 23. Adam Hastings
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