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Three debutants in Tonga pack for Samoa clash
By Jon Newcombe
Tonga has announced its team to face Samoa in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup on Friday as the 'Ikale Tahi prepare to make their bow in this season's competition.
Head coach Tevita Tu’ifua, who was unable to select many of the players who featured at the Rugby World Cup, has named three debutants in a callow-looking forward pack.
Counties Manukau hooker Penisoni Fineanganofo and flankers Tupou Afungia and Siosiua Moala, who play their club rugby in the United States and Spain with San Diego Legion and VRAC, are set to win their first caps. No.8 Lotu Inisi wins his third cap and his first since Pacific Nations Cup 2022.
Recent Moane Pasifika signing, Pat Pellegrini, starts the match at 10 for only the second time in his embryonic Test career.
Tonga's bench contains two more uncapped players in loose forward Tevita Ahokovi and sevens international Samuel Tuitupou.
Tonga will once again be captained by behemoth tight-head, Ben Tameifuna.
TONGA:
1. Tau Koloamatangi
2. Penisoni Fineanganofo
3. Ben Tameifuna (capt.)
4. Harison Mataele
5. Onehunga Kaufusi
6. Tupou Afungia
7. Siosiua Moala
8. Lotu Inisi
9. Manu Paea
10. Patrick Pellegrini
11. John Tapueluelu
12. Fetuli Paea (vice capt.)
13. Fine Inisi
14. Esau Filimoehala
15. Nikolai Foliaki (vice capt.)
Replacements:
16. Solomone Aniseko
17. Jethro Felemi
18. Brandon Televave
19. Tevita Ahokovi
20. Sosefo Sakalia
21. Aisea Halo
22. Tyler Pulini
23. Samuel Tuitupou
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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