Census Johnston
Samoa have called veteran prop Census Johnston out of retirement to bolster their pack in Wednesday’s historic 1-off Test against the All Blacks in Apia.
“We simply couldn’t leave him out,” coach Stephan Betham said when naming his team on Monday.
The 34-year-old Toulouse prop, who has played 47 Tests for Samoa since 2005, had announced his retirement in April – but has been training with the Samoa squad in recent weeks.
Chiefs fullback Tim Nanai Williams is the only uncapped player in the starting 15.
Outside back Faialaga Afamasaga, the only Samoa-based member of the squad, is set to make his debut off the bench.
New Zealand-born Nanai Williams, a cousin of All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams, has previously represented New Zealand as a Sevens player, but switched allegiance to his parents’ home country last year to boost his World Cup and Olympic prospects.
All but 5 members of the 23-man Samoa squad are based in Europe – including captain and back row forward Ofisa Treviranus, who plays for London Irish.
The match will be the 1st appearance in Samoa by the All Blacks, who have won all 5 previous Tests between the 2 countries played in New Zealand.
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai Williams (Chiefs), 14 Alofa Alofa (La Rochelle), 13 Paul Perez (Sharks, South Africa), 12 Johnny Leota (Sale Sharks), 11 Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle), 10 Tusi Pisi (Suntory), 9 Kahn Fotuali’i (Northampton), 8 Ofisa Treviranus (Captain, London Irish), 7 Jack Lam (Bristol), 6 Alafoti Fa’osiliva (Bath), 5 Kane Thompson (Newcastle Falcons), 4 Teofilo Paulo (Cardiff Blues), 3 Census Johnston (unattached), 2 Wayne ole Avei (Bordeaux), 1 Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Francais)
Replacements: 16 Ma’atulimanu Leiataua (Aurillac), 17 Viliamu Afatia (Agen), 18 Anthony Perenise (Bristol), 19 Iosefa Tekori (Toulouse), 20 Maurie Fa’asavalu (Oyonnax), 21 Pele Cowley (Auckland), 22 Faialaga Afamasaga (Samoa A), 23 Ken Pisi (Northampton).
Date: Wednesday 8 July
Venue: Apia Park, Apia, Samoa
Kick-Off: 04:00 SA Time (15:00 Samoa Time, 14:00 NZ Time, 02:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
Assessor: Donal Courtney (Ireland)