Tuesday 2nd September 2008
Samoa shrug of skipper absence
Lepale Niko Palamo believes his side could cause an upset against New Zealand in their Test at New Plymouth.
Captain Semo Sititi may be absent from the encounter though.
Sititi has an infected cut on his elbow and is a doubt for the clash at Yarrow Stadium, with Simaika Mikaele is on standby to take over at flanker.
Highlanders lock Filipo Levi has been named as captain in case Sititi fails to pull through, while two players - full-back Alatasi Tupou and winger Reupena Levasa - will make their Test debuts on Wednesday.
Palamo insists, however, that the team does not amount to a second-string line-up.
"We never have a B team - we always put the best team we can on the field," he told the Taranaki Daily Times.
"This is the All Blacks we're playing, you have to play your best. Who knows? We might create history on Wednesday.
"Playing the All Blacks creates excitement and we could give them a bit of a fright.
"You never know. Great people can always fall."
Team: Alatasi Tupou, Esera Lauina, Pale Toelupe, Jerry Meafou, Reupena Levasa, Uale Mai, Notise Tauafao; Heroshi Tea, Loleni Tafunai, Roysiu Tolufale, Filipo Levi (captain), Chad Slade, Semo Sititi or Simaika Mikaele, Alafoti Faosiliva, George Stowers.
Reserves, Simon Lemalu, Lafoga Aoelua, Maselino Paulino, Mikaele or Misioka Timoteo, Junior Polu'uliuligaga, Romi Ropati, Gasolo Salima.
