Ford wary of physical Samoa

Published: Thursday, 21. June, 2012 in category Scotland
Ford: Expecting a physical encounter against Samoa

Samoa have named a strong team for the clash, including the significant return of Tusi Pisi - with the talented fly-half flying in from New Zealand to play.

It will certainly be a very different game from Scotland's previous match against Fiji, with Samoa having selected a huge front five clearly designed to win the set-piece battle to allow them to play an organised and controlled style of game.

"It is going to be a tough game, Samoa have got a lot of strengths, a lot of the European players are back now," said Ford.

"It is a strong team that they are putting out. They are a lot more structured than Fiji, but still have the ability to break defences with their big men and good steppers.

"They will be very physical, so it will be a tough challenge, but it is one that the boys are looking forward to. A win would round the tour off well."

The Samoa team is being rebuilt after the World Cup, with only seven of the starting side involved in the tournament.

Samoa: 15 F Autagavaia, 14 P Perez, 13 F Otto, 12 P Williams, 11 D Lemi (c), 10 T Pisi, 9 K Fotualii, 1 S Taulafo, 2 T Paulo, 3 C Johnston, 4 F Lemalu, 5 D Crichton, 6 B Masoe, 7 M Faasavalu, 8 K Thompson.Replacements: 16 W Avei, 17 L Mulipola, 18 I Tekori, 19 A Aiono, 20 J Sua , 21 K Anufe, 22 L Lui.