Samoan players sing their national anthem in a Test match ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
RWC 2019: Russia vs Samoa, prediction, time, live scores, TV, result and news
Russia is the first team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup to get on the bus and go around again. Here’s what you need to know about their match against Samoa.
Samoan players sing their national anthem in a Test match ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Samoa coach Steve Jackson has selected eight Rugby World Cup debutants for his side’s first game of the tournament against Russia on Tuesday.
The New Zealander on Sunday called up 10 of the starting line-up from their final warm-up game, a 34-15 defeat by Australia, for the Pool A clash in Kumagaya, north of Tokyo.
Logovii Mulipola, Motu Matuu, captain Chris Vui, Dwayne Polataivao, and Ah See Tuala are those who come in for the Pacific islanders, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 1991 and 1995.
“The players that have been selected deserve their selection,,” said Jackson.
“Some players really put their hands up and that was what it was all about really. We want to keep consistency within the group and especially the starting fifteen and I think we’ve done that.”
Russia’s coach Lyn Jones has named an unchanged side to the one beaten 30-10 by hosts Japan in the tournament curtain raiser last Friday with flyhalf Yury Kushnarev poised to win a record-extending 111th cap.
“Everybody deserves an opportunity against Samoa,” said the Welshman, hoping to lead Russia to a first World Cup victory in their second appearance in the tournament.
“Samoa will be different in attack and defence than Japan. They are a very dangerous team. We will have to be at our best to get a positive result.”
Rugby World Cup: All the latest updates
Click on the links below to go to the landing pages.
- Pool A standings, fixtures, live scores and results
- Pool B standings, fixtures, live scores and results
- Pool C standings, fixtures, live scores and results
- Pool D standings, fixtures, live scores and results
Russia vs Samoa: Rugby World Cup kick-off time and prediction
Kick off time: More lunch time delights for this fixture. Be present for kick off at 12:15 (SAST) on 24 September. All the action is live on SuperSport 1.
For the RWC, we’ll be using a prediction algorithm from a New Zealand anorak.
Prediction: Samoa are favourites by a fair whack – at least 20 points.
RWC 2019 live scores and result: Russia vs Samoa
Additional reporting by AFP/World Rugby.
