It's all change for Tonga
Tonga Monday announced an all-new line-up for their World Cup game against Canada, with 11 personnel changes and the remaining four players moved to different positions.
Seven new forwards and four backs – the most players Tonga has ever changed between World Cup matches – were drafted in, while the lone survivor in the pack, captain Finau Maka, has been moved from openside to blindside flank.
Taniela Moa, scrumhalf for Tonga’s 41-10 defeat by the All Blacks, was named at flyhalf, Siale Piutau shifts from the wing to outside centre and Kurt Morath moves from flyhalf to fullback.
Tonga will face Pool A rivals Canada on Wednesday in Whangarei, north of Auckland.
Tonga: 15 Kurt Morath, 14 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Alipate Fatafehi, 11 William Helu, 10 Taniela Moa, 9 Thomas Palu, 8 Samiu Vahafolau, 7 Sione Vaiomo’unga, 6 Finau Maka (captain), 5 Tukulua Lokotui, 4 Sione Timani, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Ephraim Taukafa, 1 Alisona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aloisio Ma’asi, 17 Soane Tonga’uiha, 18 Halani Aulika, 19 Viliami Ma’afu, 20 Sione Kalamafoni, 21 Viliame Iongi, 22 Alaska Taufa.
Date: Wednesday, September 14
Venue: Northland Events Centre, Whangarei
Kick-off: 17.00 (05.00 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Stuart Terheege (England)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
