Rugby-No ex-All Blacks to start for Samoa against Japan

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Premiership - Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - October 1, 2021 Bristol Bears' Steven Luatua scores their first try Action Images/John Sibley/File Photo

LYON, France (Reuters) -Samoa will start their Pool D clash against Japan in Toulouse on Thursday without any of their former All Blacks after coach Seilala Mapusua made four changes to the line-up that lost to Argentina last week.

Steven Luatua moved to the bench to make way for Sa Jordan Taufua at number eight, prop Charlie Faumuina dropped out of the matchday squad altogether and flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, who missed the Pumas clash with a calf strain, was again omitted.