A historic rugby encounter sees a first-ever rugby test match between Brazil and Samoa. The teams meet in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday in a Rugby World Cup Qualifying match. The contest is one of two Rugby World Cup Qualifiers in Dubai on Saturday with Belgium vs Namibia to follow.
All four teams are competing for the final remaining place at Australia 2027. Brazil and Belgium are looking to make history while Samoa and Namibia are seeing to retain their status’ as regulars at Men’s Rugby World Cups.
Current World Ranking: 32 (52.10 points)
Oct 18, 2025 – Brazil 24-31 Paraguay (Jacareí, BR)
Oct 11, 2025 – Paraguay 39-19 Brazil (Asunción, PY)
Jul 26, 2025 – Chile 35-20 Brazil (Santiago, CL)
July 19, 2025 – Brazil 21-35 Chile (São Paulo, BR)
July 05, 2025 – Brazil 17-45 Argentina XV (Jacareí, BR)
Current World Ranking: 16 (66.94 points)
Sep 27, 2025 – Chile 31-12 Samoa (Viña del Mar, CL)
Sep 20, 2025 – Samoa 32-32 Chile (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)
Sep 14, 2025 – USA 29-13 Samoa (Denver, CO, USA)
Sep 06, 2025 – Samoa 15-29 Fiji (Rotorua, NZ)
Aug 23, 2025 – Tonga 30-16 Samoa (Nuku’alofa, TO)
July 18, 2025 – Samoa 12-41 Scotland (Auckland, NZ)
STARTING LINE-UP CHANGES  |
|
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Caique Segura | Brendon Alves |
| 3 | Leonel Moreno | Vicente Galvão |
| 6 | Adrio de Melo | Cleber Dias |
| 7 | Matheus Cláudio | Adrio de Melo |
| 12 | Raphael Hollister, | Moisés Duque |
| 14 | Théo Bastardie | Robson Morais |
|
IN | OUT |
| 2 | Millenium Sanerivi | Pita Ah Sue |
| 3 | Tietie Tuimauga | Bradley Amisoneau’i |
| 6 | Theo McFarland | Olajuwon Noa |
| 8 | Iakopo Mapu | Abraham Papali’i |
| 9 | Jonathan Taumateine | Connor Tupa’i |
| 10 | Rodney Iona | Martini Talapusi |
| 11 | Vaafauese Apelu Maliko | Latrell Ah Kiong |
| 12 | Tumua Manu | Theodore Steffany |
| 14 | Latrell Ah Kiong | Tomasi Alosio |
| 15 | Jacob Umaga | Lolagi Visinia |
- Brazil are competing at the final stage of RWC Qualifying for the first time and are looking to qualify for a first-ever Men’s Rugby World Cup.
Samoa has competed at nine of the ten past Men’s Rugby World Cups. The only edition without Samoa was the inaugural tournament in 1987 when Samoa were not invited. - Samoa entered repechage after losing RWC qualifiers against Tonga, USA and Chile; however, Samoa has a well-rounded roster of players with many competing in elite professional leagues.
- Os Tupis were humiliated by Paraguay in Asunción and at home in Jacareí, but the Brazilians life to fight another day after Paraguay breached player eligibility laws.
- The trio of Vaafauese Apelu Maliko, Millenium Sanerivi and Faletoi Peni will all debut for Samoa.
- The match will officially open international competition between Brazil and Samoa.
- Brazil and Samoa are both yet to win a match in 2025.
- Samoa’s team to face Brazil includes former USA prop Titi Lamositele and former England back Jacob Umaga (England). Neither player is from Samoa nor is a product of Samoa Rugby. Notwithstanding, World Rugby justified changing eligibility laws to allow players to represent a second country by declaring that the change will serve as “a real boost to the competitiveness of emerging nations.” Enabling Samoa to benefit against Brazil suggests otherwise.
- Brazilian Coach Josh Reeves summoned players from far and wide for repechage. His side features call-ups such as Caique Segura and Théo Bastardie from France, Raphael Hollister, from England, Devon Muller from South Africa, Caique Segura from French rugby and Leonel Moreno from Italian rugby.
- Despite having been named on the roster, Carlo Mignot is not fit to play against Samoa.
- Michael Alaalatoa, Theo McFarland, Jonathan Taumateine, and Tumua Manu complete the rarity of playing against Brazil in a Rugby World Cup Qualifier after facing Argentina and Chile at Rugby World Cup 2027.
It is established Rugby World Cup competitors up against a team yet to compete in a Men’s Rugby World Cup. Samoa being in this position is unfathomable given they defeated Italy in 2024 and Japan in 2023. In short, money has dried up and others have improved dramatically. Brazil have Chile’s heroics as motivation and have brought in players from all over the world. Samoa has also called upon reinforcements meaning Brazil will face a stronger side than that which the USA and Chile both defeated to book their places in Australia 2027. Samoa are heavy favorites to win in Dubai.
BRAZIL
15 Lucas Tranquez, 14 Théo Bastardie, 13 Lorenzo Massari Temer (capt.), 12 Raphael Hollister, 11 Robert Tenório, 10 João do Amaral, 9 Lucas Spago, 8 André Arruda, 7 Matheus Cláudio, 6 Adrio de Melo, 5 Gabriel Oliveira, 4 Matteo Dell’Acqua, 3 Leonel Moreno, 2 Wilton Rebolo, 1 Caique Segura
Replacements; 16 Henrique Ferreira, 17 Brendon Alves, 18 Vicente Galvão, 19 Ben Donald, 20 Renato Santos, 21 Devon Muller, 22 Thiago Oviedo, 23 Robson Morais
SAMOA
15 Jacob Umaga, 14 Latrell Ah Kiong, 13 Melani Nanai, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Vaafauese Apelu Maliko, 10 Rodney Iona, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Iakopo Mapu, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 6 Theo McFarland (capt.), 5 Michael Curry, 4 Benjamin Petaia Nee Nee, 3 Tietie Tuimauga, 2 Millenium Sanerivi, 1 Jarred Adams
Replacements: 16 Lutero Tolai, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Niko Jones, 21 Connor Tupa’i, 22 Faletoi Peni, 23 Lalomilo Lalomilo
Date: Saturday, November 08
Venue: The Sevens (Dubai, UAE)
Kickoff: 5:00pm (UAE); 10:00am (Brasília)
Weather Forecast: Hot; 32°C; wind N (6 km/h)
Broadcasts: Disney +, ESPN 3, Rugby Pass
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland); Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
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