Hard-hitting Tongan trio suspended

Tonga backs David Halaifonua and Siale Piutau and prop Edmund 'Aholelei will miss the rest of the Pacific Nations Cup after being suspended for foul play in the loss to Canada last weekend.

All three will miss the Test against the United States in Carson on Friday, and against Fiji in Tokyo on June 23.

They were suspended after the 36-27 loss to Canada on Saturday in Kingston, Ontario.

Halaifonua, who contested his charge, was banned for six weeks until July 21 for a high shoulder charge on wing Matt Evans that caused Evans to be taken off on a stretcher. Halaifonua will also be unavailable for the Sevens World Cup in Moscow this month.

Aholelei pleaded guilty to punching flank Jebb Sinclair, for which he was sent off in the first half, and was suspended to July 12, including a Melbourne Rebels' Super Rugby game that day.

Piutau was banned for three weeks to June 30 after pleading guilty to punching hooker Ray Barkwill.