Manu Samoa

The 38-16 loss at Apia Park, Samoa's fourth successive test defeat, reduced them to 16th in the world rankings, their lowest position since the index was introduced in 2003.

Head coach Alama Ieremia said everyone was hurting and he accepted that all results, good or bad, ultimately came back to him.

"I'm the head coach so I take full responsibility for anything that happens in the campaign so I've got no issues with that," he said.

Getting his first start for the Manu is Bay of Plenty prop Jordan Lay.

Lay's brother James is on the bench and will make his debut if gets on the field.

The other two changes sees young hooker Elia Elia get a start and experienced flanker Jack Lam returns from injury.

RNZI reports the backline remains unchanged.

Head Coach Namulauulu Alama Ieremia said he has selected a team he believes can counter a strong Fijian side that will be full of confidence.

The France-based winger, who had been on destructive mode since appearing for Fiji in the ongoing World Rugby Test series, is expected to be an impact player in the team's campaign to win the PNC.

Tonga leads the tally after two games.

Fiji Times reports a win this weekend for the Fijians will ensure we retain the annual title.

Tuisova's 7s Rio Olympics teammate and off-load king Leone Nakarawa is expected to be on his 'A'-game after showing A-grade elusive ball handling skills against the Ikale Tahi in Nuku'alofa last weekend.

Wales bagged a second consecutive win over a Pacific team, beating Manu Samoa 19-17 after trailing for most of the match.

Wing Steffan Evans scored in the 72nd minute to win it for Wales.

Earlier Alapati Leiua and Manu Leiataua had crossed the line for Samoa.

Robin McBryde told BBC Wales his team showed immense character.

"After going 10-0 down early on in the first half, it's like 20-0 in these conditions, you know, and we stayed in there and we soaked it up," McBryde said.

Paul Alo-Emile gets his opportunity at tight head prop, with Census Johnston having to return to New Zealand for personal reasons.

Galu Taufale is set to earn his first cap on the openside flank, while Alafoti Faosiliva earns a start at number eight.

Faifili Levave and Vavae Tuilagi are set to add loose forward impact off the bench.

Following on from tonight's game and another against Wales next week, Samoa enter the Pacific Nations Cup which also doubles as the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers where they'll face fierce rivals Fiji and Tonga.

Manu Samoa coach Alama Ieremia said getting to play the All Blacks as a precursor is like a Christmas wish coming early.

"To play in a double header, it just went from bonus to bonus to bonus. I'm really excited about that, the team's really excited about that.

Last weekend's defeat to Japan ended the Manu's hopes of making the quarter finals.

In a further blow, vice-captain Alesana Tuilagi was banned for five weeks for striking a Japanese defender with his knee.

The suspension has been criticised by a host of ex-players, rugby commentators and fans, for what appeared nothing more than a poorly executed tackle, and the team admits they too were shocked by the decision.

Assistant coach Alama Ieremia said the team owed it to themselves and their supporters to give it everything in their final match.

He played 38 tests and 75 matches for the All Blacks in the 1970s but he was also Samoa's head coach at the 1991 World Cup.

Samoa beat Wales and Argentina to finish second behind Australia in their group, which made the rugby world suddenly take sit up and notice of teams from the Pacific Islands.

His son Paul played for Samoa at the last World Cup and he said he could never understand why it had taken so long for New Zealand to play in Samoa.