Fresh from their 20-13 victory over the world champions, the French players now have to confirm their potential before taking on the All Black in their last November test.

"We have to respect the Samoans as much as the South Africans," French coach Marc Lievremont said. "With the Samoans, you have to expect everything, and I expect the worst to happen. Nothing is more extreme than playing the Samoans just eight days after the Springboks, their philosophy is so different."

Lievremont made 12 changes to the side that beat South Africa, handing first caps to winger Benjamin Fall and flanker Alexandre Lapandry.

"We took three things into consideration," Lievremont said. "The first was physical freshness, the second was removing any risk of complacency. Finally, the most important thing is that the players are all close to having the same level."

France No. 8 Louis Picamoles has been ruled out of the match with a knee injury and will be replaced by flanker Julien Bonnaire, with captain Thierry Dusautoir starting at Bonnaire's position. Dusautoir will earn his 27th cap against a team that lost 17-13 to Wales in Cardiff last week.

Although France hasn't played Samoa for more than ten years _ a 39-22 win in their sole previous encounter _ the French players know they will be given a strong physical challenge.

"They like to make high tackles and to hurt," Toulouse center Yann David said. "For them, rugby is the equivalent of football in Brazil. It is very, very important to them."

Even if they don't fear their rivals' physical strength, the French know they will be tested.

"They are built like tanks," Bonnaire said.

The French camp has also praised the way the Samoan players have dealt with the tsunami that killed more than 180 people on Samoa, American Samoa and nearby islands on Sept. 29.

"I admire them for overcoming this ordeal," Lievremont said. "I admire their desire to rebuild."

Samoa will be without flanker George Stowers, who is out with a groin injury and will be replaced by Jonathan Fa'amatuainu while Henry Fa'afili will fill in for center Gavin Williams.

Williams' wife gave birth to their first child and the Clermont player will only join the team for the last match of its tour in Italy next week.

"It's a setback," Samoa coach Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua said. "But it's also an opportunity to assess two other players against one of the best teams in the world."

Tafua made five changes to the team that lost at Cardiff. Lock Filipo Levi has been preferred to Castres player Iosefa Tekori while winger Lucky Mulipola will make his international debut. Prop Sakaria Taulafo will be given a starting role for the first time.