
Samoa have called veteran prop Census Johnston out of retirement to bolster their pack in Wednesday's one-off historic 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.
Waikato Chiefs fullback Tim Nanai Williams is the only uncapped player in the starting 15, while 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 five members of the 23-man Samoa squad are based in Europe including captain and back-rower Ofisa Treviranus who plays for London Irish.
The match will be the first appearance in Samoa by the All Blacks, who have won all five previous Tests between the two countries played in New Zealand.
Samoa (15-1)
Tim Nanai Williams (Waikato Chiefs); Alofa Alofa (La Rochelle), Paul Perez (Natal Sharks), Johnny Leota (Sale), Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle); Tusi Pisi (Suntory), Kahn Fotuali’i (Northampton); Ofisa Treviranus (capt, London Irish), Jack Lam (Bristol), Alafoti Faosiliva (Bath); Kane Thompson (Newcastle Falcons), Teofilo Paulo (Cardiff Blues); Census Johnston (unattached) Wayne Ole Avei (Bordeaux), Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Francais)
Replacements: Ma'atulimanu Leiataua (Aurillac), Viliamu Afatia (Agen), Anthony Perenise (Bristol), Iosefa Tekori (Toulouse), Maurie Fa’asavalu (Oyonnax), Pele Cowley (Auckland), Faialaga Afamasaga (Samoa A), Ken Pisi (Northampton)
Source: AFP
GMT 10:15 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Brewers make offer to Japanese pitcher DarvishGMT 11:51 2018 Monday ,22 January
Jos Buttler hailed as ‘the difference’ between England and Australia in tourists’ winGMT 11:38 2018 Monday ,22 January
New Zealand to bowl in first T20 against PakistanGMT 13:13 2018 Friday ,19 January
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 15 runs to seal series sweepGMT 07:19 2018 Friday ,19 January
Man Utd set to make Sanchez highest-paid Premier League playerGMT 13:43 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Ben Stokes ‘delighted’ to be cleared to play for England againGMT 10:25 2018 Monday ,15 January
Roy record powers England to opening victory over AustraliaGMT 10:15 2018 Monday ,15 January
India thrash Aussies in U19 World Cup

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor