New Zealand Maori and Australia A have both named strong sides for their second IRB Pacific Nations Cup matches on Saturday against Fiji and Samoa.

Both SANZAR union teams started with wins on the tournament's opening match day, Australia seeing off an impressive Japan side 42-21 in Fukuoka and the Maori beating Tonga 20-9 in a bruising encounter at North Harbour Stadium in Albany. In the other match Rugby World Cup quarter finalists Fiji outclassed Samoa 34-17 in front of 8,600 fans at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

In the other match this weekend Japan host Tonga in Sendai on Sunday 15 June.

NZ Maori coach Donny Stevenson has named a side featuring 10 changes for the match against the Fijians, although the Maori will be leaving nothing to chance against Ilivasi Tabua's men.

"Fiji has some experienced players in their forward pack and we have been working on our set pieces this week because the scrum is the foundation of any attack," said Stevenson.

"Whoever gets the edge in that department will have the advantage in the match. The test for us is to adapt quickly to the conditions in Lautoka and improve on our performance against Tonga."

Fiji head coach Ilivasi Tabua has retained the starting XV that defeated Samoa. Changes have been made to the bench, however, Deryck Thomas replacing Akapusi Qera and Saula Radidi replacing Jonetani Ralulu.

Mooney shuffles pack

Australia A coach Phil Mooney retains the nucleus of the side which beat the Cherry Blossoms, while bringing in some fresh legs to rejuvenate the team after a heavy travel schedule.

Wallaby Sean Hardman again starts at hooker and will be joined by Pek Cowan and Salesi Ma'afu, who comes in off the bench for Guy Shepherdson.

After scoring a brace on his Australia A debut Peter Kimlin is rewarded with another starting berth and will be joined in the second row by former Wallaby lock Al Campbell. Matt Hodgson and Poutasi Luafutu will flank the scrum with Julian Salvi set to start at number 8 and Patrick Phibbs at scrum half in place of Brumbies team mate Josh Holmes.

Daniel Halangahu returns to the representative arena at fly half while captain Morgan Turinui is joined in the midfield by Investec Super 14 Rookie of the Year Tyrone Smith and Timana Tahu, Mark Gerrard and Sam Norton-Knight form a formidable back three.

"The team coped very well in Japan despite having to play with 13 players during the second half," said Mooney.

"We have shifted some players around and brought in others to keep the team fresh and give them all an opportunity to impress.

"We know Samoa will be difficult opposition and are always up for the physical side of the game."

Australia A v Samoa, Apia, Samoa - Saturday, 14 June 2008

Australia A: 1. Pek Cowan 2. Sean Hardman 3. Salesi Ma'afu 4. Al Campbell 5. Peter Kimlin 6. Poutasi Luafutu 7. Matt Hodgson 8. Julian Salvi 9. Patrick Phibbs 10. Daniel Halangahu 11. Timana Tahu 12. Tyrone Smith 13. Morgan Turinui (Captain) 14. Mark Gerrard 15. Sam Norton-Knight.

Replacements: 16. John Ulugia 17. Guy Shepherdson 18. Van Humphries 19. Leroy Houston 20. Josh Holmes 21. Scott Daruda 22. Matt Carraro.

Samoa: 1. Heroshi Tea 2. Loleni Tafunai 3. Census Johnston 4. Filipo Levi (Captain) 5. Chad Slade 6. Semo Sititi 7. Bell Sasulu 8. George Stowers 9. Notise Tauafao 10. Fuimaono Eliota Sapolu 11. David Lemi 12. Anitelea Tuilagi 13. Henry Fa'afili 14. Eser Lauina 15. Neli Sasulu.

Replacements: 16. Muliufi Salanoa 17. James Johnston 18. Daniel Leo 19. Jonathan Fa'amatuainu 20. Uale Mai 21. Paletuatoa Toelupe 22. Gasolo Salima.

New Zealand Maori v Fiji, Lautoka Fiji - Saturday, 14 June 2008

NZ Maori: 1. Jacob Ellison, 2. Aled de Malmanche, 3. Ben May, 4. Isaac Ross, 5. Jason Eaton, 6. Hoani MacDonald, 7. Daniel Braid, 8. Liam Messam (Co-captain), 9. Chris Smylie, 10. Stephen Brett, 11. Hosea Gear, 12. Tamati Ellison (Co-captain), 13. Tim Bateman, 14. Glen Horton, 15. Dwayne Sweeney.

Replacments: 16. Hikawera Elliot, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. Tanerau Latimer, 19. Thomas Waldrom, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Callum Bruce, 22. Shannon Paku / Zar Lawrence.

Fiji: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Kameli Ratuvou, 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Mosese Rauluni (capt), 8 Netani Talei, 7 Aca Gavidi, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes.

Replacements: Vereniki Sauturaga, Viliame Seuseu, Wame Lewaravu, Deryck Thomas, Aporosa Vata, Saula Radidi, Marika Vakacegu.

Japan v Tonga, Sendai, Japan - Sunday, 15 June 2008

Japan: 1. Tatsukichi Nishiura 2. Yusuke Aoki 3. Tomokazu Soma 4. Hitoshi Ono 5. Toshizumi Kitagawa 6. Ryu Koliniasi Holani 7. Hare Makiri 8. Takuro Miuchi (Captain) 9. Fumiaki Tanaka 10. James Arlidge 11. Hirotoki Onozawa 12. Ryan Nicholas 13. Koji Taira 14. Kosuke Endo 15. Shaun Webb.

Replacements: 16. Naonori Mizuyama 17. Yuta Inose 18. Tomoaki Taniguchi 19. Takashi Kikutani 20. Tomoki Yoshida 21. Bryce Robins 22. Christian Loamanu.

Tonga: TBC