LONDON  - Samoa's team for their Rugby World Cup match against the USA on Sunday has nine changes compared to the XV who started the Pacific Nations Cup final defeat against Fiji in August, and also nine changes to the lineup that defeated the USA 21-16 in that same tournament.

Among the changes, Ofisa Treviranus returns at No. 8 and is captain, and impressive goalkicker Tusi Pisi slots in at flyhalf.

Five players started Samoa's last RWC match, a 13-5 defeat by South Africa four years ago. Sakaria Taulafo, Mauri Fa'asavalu, Kahn Fotuali'I, Tusi Pisi and Alesana Tuilagi make up that quintet. Pisi needs to score 29 points to overtake Earl Va'a's test record of 174 for Samoa.

With a total of 306 caps, this is one of the more experienced Samoa teams to start a RWC match, beaten only by the lineup which started against South Africa at RWC 2011 and contained 316 caps.   

1. Sakaria Taulafo
2. Ole Avei
3. Anthony Perenise
4. Teofilo Paulo
5. Iosefa Tekori
6. Maurie Fa'asavalu
7. Jack Lam
8. Ofisa Treviranus (c)
9. Kahn Fotuali'i
10. Tusi Pisi
11. Alesana Tuilagi
12. Rey Lee-Lo
13. Paul Perez
14. Ken Pisi
15. Tim Nanai-Williams

Replacements:
16. Viliamu Afatia
17. Motu Matu'u
18. Census Johnston
19. Faifili Levave
20. Alafoti Faosiliva
21. Vavao Afemai
22. Mike Stanley
23. Fa'atoina Autagavaia