NEWCASTLE (UNITED KINGDOM) - Samoa warned Scotland to take nothing for granted in their final pool game on Saturday, pointing to England's demise at the World Cup.
Samoa scrum half Kahn Fotuali'i passes the ball during a training session in Milton Keynes, north of London, on September 29, 2015
The showdown at St James' Park, so crucial for Scotland to win to cement their quarter-final berth, will be the first time they have met since Samoa beat them in Durban 27-17 two years ago.
That game was the only time Samoa have beaten Scotland in nine attempts including a 15-all draw in 1995.
Samoa coach Stephen Betham has made seven changes from the side beaten 26-5 by Japan last weekend with captain Ofisa Treviranus a notable omission and no immediate explanation whether his absence is injury related.
Scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i, who takes over the captaincy, warmed immediately to the leadership role firing a shot straight across the Scottish bows.
Samoa may have no chance of qualifying but it did not mean they would be pushovers he said.
"Look at England. A lot of people assumed they were going to make it through, just because they were the host nation and playing well," he said, adding Samoa had a lot of motivation even though the quarter-finals were out of reach.
"Getting a bit of pride back in our performance. We haven’t played to the best of our ability this group were capable of, but we haven’t really fired a shot," he said.
"We’ve got a chance this weekend to say we are a good enough side."
The revamped Samoan side will see Rey Lee-Lo and George Pisi combine for the first time in the centres, as do the loose forward trio of Maurie Fa'asavalu, Jack Lam and Alafoti Fa'osiliva.
Neither Fa'asavalu nor Fa'osiliva have played since Samoa's opening-match 25-16 win over the USA.
Fa'atoina Autagavaia, whose only previous appearance in the tournament was the final eight minutes of their USA match, takes over from the suspended Alesana Tuilagi on the left wing.
Hooker Manu Leiataua, who made his Test debut in the historic win over Scotland, will take the field for the first time in the tournament.
Tusi Pisi, Lam, Filo Paulo and Census Johnston all started in the 2013 victory, while Faosiliva was on the bench with Leiataua, but was not required.
Team (15-1)
Tim Nanai-Williams; Paul Perez, George Pisi, Rey Lee-Lo, Fa'atoina Autagavaia; Tusi Pisi, Kahn Fotuali'i (capt); Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Jack Lam, Maurie Fa'asavalu; Kane Thompson, Teofilo Paulo, Census Johnston, Manu Leiataua, Sakaria Taulafo
Replacements: Motu Matu'u, Viliamu Afatia, Anthony Perenise, Faifili Levave, Vavae Tuilagi, Vavao Afemai, Patrick Fa'apale, Ken Pisi
Coach: Stephen Betham (SAM)