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Tonga change 5 for daunting Fiji challenge in Pacific Nations Cup

Tonga's Aisea Halo reacts after a successful try by Samoa during the Rugby Union Pacific Nations Cup match between Samoa and Tonga at the Apia Park in Samoa's capital Apia on August 30, 2024. (Photo by Manaui Faulalo / AFP)

Tonga have matched Fiji in making five changes to their starting XV for their encounter in the Pacific Nations Cup on Friday.

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Off the back of a 43-17 loss to Samoa in their first match of this year’s tournament last Friday, Tevita Tu’ifua has made three changes in the pack and a further two in the back line ahead of Fiji’s visit to the Teufaiva Stadium.

Captain Ben Tameifuna will have two new partners in the front row, with loosehead Jethro Felemi and hooker Solomone Aniseko both promoted from the bench against Samoa to start against Mick Byrne’s outfit. Flanker Tevita Ahokovi has received the same promotion, replacing Siosiua Moala at the side of the scrum.

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      Having both featured from the bench against Samoa, scrumhalf Aisea Halo and winger Samuel Tuitupou have both earned starts.

      Tonga head into the match knowing they must score four tries and win by at least 27 points on Friday, while denying Fiji any points, in order to progress into the semi-finals.

      Fixture
      Pacific Nations Cup
      Tonga
      19 - 50
      Full-time
      Fiji
      All Stats and Data

      Not only are Fiji top of Pool A, but they comfortably beat a Samoa side that equally comfortably beat Tonga, making the task at hand all the more daunting.

      Tonga XV
      1 Jethro Felemi
      2 Solomone Aniseko
      3 Ben Tameifuna
      4 Harrison Mataele
      5 Onehunga Havili
      6 Tevita Ahokovi
      7 Tupou Ma’afu-Afungia
      8 Lotu Inisi
      9 Aisea Halo
      10 Patrick Pellegrini
      11 Samuel Tuitupou
      12 Fetuli Paea
      13 Fine Inisi
      14 Esau Filimoehala
      15 Nikolai Foliaki

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      Replacements
      16 Penisoni Fineanganofo
      17 Salesi Tuifua
      18 Brandon Televave
      19 Paea Fono’ifua
      20 Sosefo Sakalia
      21 Siaosi Nai
      22 Tyler Pulini
      23 Latu Akauola

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      J
      JG 1 hour ago
      Springboks' No.1 status in world rankings coming under increased threat

      Well said RugCs. These rankings never have and never will be of any significance to the Springboks. Our team plays to win for its country and its people. How many times do Rassie and Siya need to repeat that before it sinks in. Speak to Razor Robertson and I suspect he will tell you the same thing. Our countries will not allow their rugby success to be measured by an illogical, mathematically complicated concoction of a ranking system, dreamt up by some disgruntled and status-starved Northern Hemisphere lackeys of World Rugby in an attempt to score themselves some desperate international recognition as being the “best of world rugby”. What absolute hogwash!!

      As with any of the other major team sports that compete for World Cup glory, a nation’s success is measured by its ability to win the “holy grail” of the sport - the World Cup!!!

      Between them, the world's undisputed best two teams, South Africa and New Zealand hold 7 of the 10 World Cup Champions titles won thus far in Rugby's history. Until such time as any other nation surpasses that, you can bring along as many ranking systems as you like - you will NOT change that status quo.

      AND here’s the irony. These two true champion rugby nations, neither of whom have the highest regard for World Rugby's “plastic ranking system” - quite coincidentally happen to be the top two teams on that very ranking table. Now, isn’t that hilarious.

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