Rugby-Samoa skipper Vui, Japan scrumhalf Nagare out of Pool D clash

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool D - Argentina v Samoa - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France - September 22, 2023 Samoa's Chris Vui reacts REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) - Samoa suffered a blow before kickoff in their Pool D clash against Japan in Toulouse on Thursday when co-captain Chris Vui was forced to withdraw from the team.

Vui, who shares the captaincy with reserve prop Michael Alaalatoa, will be replaced at lock by former All Black Steven Luatua with Brian Alainu'u'ese coming onto the bench. Loose forward Fritz Lee will captain the team onfield at the start.