Kieron Fonotia lines up in Samoa side for Pacific Nations clash with US

Rob Lloyd News

Kieron Fonotia has been named in the Samoa side to take on USA Eagles in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday.

The Scarlets centre picked up a knee injury at the end of last season, but is now fully recovered and included in the Islanders’ line-up for the clash in Suva.

Fonotia, who will make his eighth Test appearance, sat out last weekend’s 25-17 mudbath victory over a Tonga team that included his soon-to-be regional team-mate Sam Lousi.

He will join the Scarlets honours board as the 234th player to represent the club and region on the international stage.

The Eagles also got their campaign off to a winning start, thumping North American rivals Canada 47-19.

Elsewhere this weekend, Wales’ World Cup pool rivals Fiji take on Canada in Suva, while Tonga meet Japan in Osaka.

SAMOA: 15 Ahsee Tuala; 14 Johnny Vaili, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Alapati Leiua; 10 AJ Alatimu, 9 Pele Cowley; 1 Jordan Lay, 2 Seilala Lam, 3 James Lay, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 5 Vaitoasa Senio Toleafoa, 6 Henry Stowers, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Piula Faasalele

Replacements: 16 Elia Elia, 17 Logovii Mulipola, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Jack Lam-Kane Leaupepe, 20 Afaesetiti Amosa, 21 Auvasa Falealii, 22 Reynold Lee Lo, 23 JJ Taulagi.