Tonga v Canada - Teams and Prediction
PREVIEW: Canada brace themselves for another physical challenge against Tonga at the Teufaiva Stadium on Tuesday.
Canada head coach Kingsley Jones has made a couple of changes to the team that suffered a 3-28 defeat to Tonga last week.
Mitch Richardson enters the starting 15 in place of Ben LeSage, who is out with injury.
This will be the first start for Richardson as well as for Siôn Parry, who both entered the game in the second half on Thursday to earn their first caps.
San Diego Legion scrumhalf Jason Higgins also moves into the first 15.
Gabe Casey, a University of Victoria player and 2022 Toronto Arrows draft pick who gained experience with Canada ‘A’ last fall in the Americas Rugby Trophy, could earn his first cap off the bench.
“This will be another physical challenge, but I am looking forward to seeing how much we can improve upon last match, which was our first match as a team in almost 10 months,” said Jones.
“We were pleased with a lot of the aspects of the last game.
“We did a lot of things well, it’s not often you get statistics of 58 percent possession and 58 percent territory. Our challenge is to improve our accuracy and finish those hard-earned opportunities this Tuesday.”
#FEATURE: Namibian rugby finds strength in the dunes of Walvis Bay 👇#RWC2023 #WorldCup #Namibia https://t.co/VORlsTWdLQ
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 14, 2023
Prediction:
@rugby365com: Tonga by 12 points
Teams:
Tonga: 15 Otumaka Mausia , 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 John Ika, 10 Williams Havili, 9 Sonatane Takulua (captain), 8 Solomone Funaki, 7 Sione Tupou, 6 Samiuela Moli, 5 Vaea Fifita, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Sofefo Sakalia, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi.
Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Fe’ao Fotu’aika, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Vutulongo Puloka , 20 Christopher Hala’ufia, 21 Feleti Inoke, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Tasi Feke
Canada: 15 Peter Nelson, 14 Kainoa Lloyd, 13 Mitch Richardson, 12 Spencer Jones, 11 Isaac Olson, 10 Robbie Povey, 9 Jason Higgins, 8 Siaki Vikilani, 7 Siôn Parry, 6 Lucas Rumball, 5 Conor Keys, 4 Izzak Kelly, 3 Conor Young, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 1 Liam Murray.
Replacements: 16 Foster Dewitt, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Piers Von Dadelszen, 20 Mason Flesch, 21 Travis Larsen, 22 Ross Braude, 23 Gabe Casey.
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (Australia) & Tevita Rokovereni (France)
