It's crunch time

Written by Filo Taituuga

The tale of the tape shows Upolu Samoa and Tau’uta Reds head into tonight’s all important PRC game boasting wins from their first outing last week.

Upolu earned a hard fought 17-8 win against Tautahi Gold in Tonga, while Reds upset Savaii Samoa 15-14 at Apia Park last Friday.

 
Reds have the ability to play both a tight and expansive game with very much a physical flavour.
Against Savaii they certainly demonstrated they can be dangerous with the ball in hand and once they build momentum going forward they are hard to stop.

Reds Coach Fuka KiteKeia’ho makes no secret of his intent to take Upolu upfront. If that turns to custard he can revert to changing his game plan accordingly.  Fuka has shown he has immense confidence in his players and particularly the game plan they will look to impose.  Fuka will be aiming to secure early dominance upfront with his forwards hoping to win the battle first in the tight and set piece.

Upolu Samoa Coach Fepuleai Selefuti Patu knows he has the players and fire power up front and out wide to use at his expense.  He makes no secret of his intentions to play an expansive game, but will be looking to play smart rugby, using nous to lay a solid platform to fire out from.

With a brace of current and former Manu Samoa players at his disposal, Fepuleai will be divulging a game plan that certainly utilizes all his resources.  Up front Upolu has made one change to their already impressive tight, Jeremiah Fatialofa making his PRC debut in place of an injured James Johnston, with Ioane Ioane joining the fray
Upolu welcomes the timely return of injured lock Maselino Paulino, who brings added height to the lineout and gives Upolu an extra aerial advantage in the air and on the bench, depending on whether he is a starter or comes off the bench.

Fepuleai has turned to his reserve stocks on the bench, with Tasman NPC midfielder Saul Luamanuvao making his first run on start at PRC level.   Fepuleai has called on his players to step up a notch and expect their concentration levels to be attuned to doing the small things well.  There will be no stone left unturned with players fizzing to stamp their mark on what is billed to be “hell of a game.”  Expect plenty of intense on-field fireworks tonight, with all players brimming with enthusiasm to edge the other to notch up an all important win.

Upolu Samoa
1.    Heroshi Tea
2.    Loleni Tafunai
3.    Roysiu Tolufale
4.    Finauga Segi
5.    Maselino Paulino
6.    Misioka Timoteo
7.    Masefau Leuluniu
8.    George Stowers (c)
9.    Uale Mai
10.   Roger Warren
11.   Esera Lauina
12.   Saul Luamanuvao
13.   Alvin Tavana
14.   Timoteo Iosua
15.   John Vui
16.   Lafoga Aoelua
17.   Logovi milipola
18.   Asiasiga Toalepaialii
19.   Afa Aiono
20.   Dominic Gabriel
21.   Ki Anufe
22.    aualagi Afamasaga

Tau’uta Reds
1.    Otulea Fifita
2.    Sione Poteki
3.    Siosateki Mata’u
4.    Sione Timani
5.    Isileli Fine
6.    Samisoni Masima
7.    Patelesio Ve’a
8.    Matini Tupou
9.    Enele Taufa
10.   Lataimuli Anitoni
11.   Petelo Tupou
12.   Lisati Kuli
13.   Viliami Takai
14.   Sosefa Tuakoi
15.   Mesui Lemoto
16.   Etilei Fevaleaki
17.   Tone Tukufuka
18.   Samisone Masima
19.   Afele Tongia
20.   Kaufusi Moata’ane
21.   Fokululu Taumalolo
22.   Fou ki moana Katoa
23.   Otulea Fifita
24.   Sione Poteki