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All-star trio missing again for Tonga's final Pacific Nations Cup clash
Tonga’s all-star trio have all been excluded by the ‘Ikale Tahi for the second match running as the Pacific Nations Cup comes to an end.
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Former All Blacks pair Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau, as well as ex-Wallabies star Israel Folau, are all absent from Tonga’s match day squad to face Australia A in the final round of the Pacific Nations Cup this weekend.
Fekitoa, Piutau and Folau stole headlines earlier this year when they were included in the ‘Ikale Tahi squad for the first time thanks to World Rugby’s new eligibility laws.
However, all three players have been limited to just one outing for Tonga thus far, starting in Tonga’s 36-0 defeat at the hands of Fiji in Suva a fortnight ago.
The trio were then absent in the ‘Ikale Tahi’s 34-18 defeat to Samoa in Lautoka last week, and have again missed the cut to close out their Pacific Nations Cup campaign at Churchill Park on Saturday.
Instead, head coach Toutai Kefu has opted to retain those who replaced Fekitoa, Piutau and Folau, the latter of whom’s absence might be injury-enforced given he hobbled off less than half an hour into the match against Fiji.
Folau was subsequently replaced on the right wing by Tima Fainga’anuku, who keeps his place in the No 14 jersey, while Fekitoa’s successor, Fetuli Paea, remains at second-five for the Australia A clash.
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Young playmaker William Havili took Piutau’s spot at fullback against Samoa, but has been shifted to first-five in place of the benched James Faiva, making way for ‘Otumaka Mausia to come into the No 15 jersey.
That alteration is one of seven changes made to Tonga’s starting lineup, while there are seven more new faces on the ‘Ikale Tahi’s eight-man bench.
Even amongst all that rotation, Kefu hasn’t found room for former two-test All Blacks halfback Augustine Pulu, whose Tonga debut has been delayed due to injury.
Pulu is therefore expected to debut for the ‘Ikale Tahi later this year alongside Vaea Fifita, the 11-test former All Blacks utility forward who this week qualified to play for Tonga after completing his three-year stand down from test rugby.
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Of those who have been named to face Australia A, the most notable figures include veteran tighthead prop Ben Tameifuna and experienced outside back Telusa Veainu, who has been picked on the bench despite missing selection in Tonga’s initial squad.
Out of contention for the Pacific Nations Cup title, Tonga will go on to play Hong Kong in a World Cup qualifier on the Sunshine Coast in Australia next Saturday.
Victory in that match would book Tonga’s place in Pool B – alongside the Springboks, Ireland, Scotland and Romania – at next year’s tournament in France.
An unlikely defeat, however, would send them to November’s Final Qualification Tournament, where they would compete against three other nations for a spot in Pool C with the Wallabies, Wales, Fiji and Georgia.
Kick-off for Saturday’s clash against Australia A at Churchill Park in Lautoka is scheduled for 12pm kick-off local time.
Tonga team to face Australia A
1. David Lolohea
2. Sam Moli
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Leva Fifita (c)
5. Sam Lousi
6. Tanginoa Halaifonua
7. Solomone Funaki
8. Lotu Inisi
9. Manu Paea
10. William Havili
11. Anzelo Tuitavuki
12. Fetuli Paea
13. Afusipa Taumoepeau
14. Tima Fainga’anuku
15. ‘Otumaka Mausia
Reserves
16. Jay Fonokalafi
17. Fe’ao Fotuaika
18. Joe ‘Apikotoa
19. Sione Havili Talitui
20. Veikoso Poloniati
21. Aisea Halo
22. James Faiva
23. Telusa Veainu
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments