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Australia A make minimal changes in quest for Pacific Nations Cup title

(Photo by LEON LORD/AFP via Getty Images)

With the Pacific Nations Cup title in the balance, Australia A have made minimal changes to their team to face Tonga on Saturday.

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Australia’s second-tier national side sit in second place on the Pacific Nations Cup table heading into this weekend’s final round of action after they bounced back from a surprise opening loss to Samoa to stun Fiji with a bonus point win in Lautoka last week.

Trailing the first-placed Samoans by three competition points, Australia A must beat the winless ‘Ikale Tahi and hope Fiji can do the same against Samoa at Churchill Park this weekend in order to claim their first-ever Pacific Nations Cup title.

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Why Sam Cane is the starting No 7 and captain for All Blacks

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      Why Sam Cane is the starting No 7 and captain for All Blacks

      On the back of their 32-18 win over the Flying Fijians, Australia A head coach Jason Gilmore has retained most of the players who featured in that match, making just two changes to his starting lineup.

      Both of those changes come in the forward pack, where Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard takes the place of his Reds counterpart Matt Faessler, who drops to the bench at the expense of two-test Wallabies rake Feleti Kaitu’u.

      The only other alteration sees Reds utility forward Seru Uru moves from blindside flanker to lock, with Reds second rower Ryan Smith dropping out of the match day squad while Waratahs flanker Will Harris moves into the No 6 jersey.

      Faessler is one of five new additions to the bench alongside Brumbies prop Tom Ross, Force loose forward Tim Anstee, Waratahs first-five Tane Edmed and Reds midfielder Hamish Stewart.

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      That quartet has replaced Brumbies prop Archer Holz, Force utility forward Jackson Pugh, Reds playmaker Isaac Henry and Waratahs wing Mark Nawaqanitawase, the latter of whom has been called into the Wallabies camp as injury cover.

      Led by captain Ryan Lonergan, Australia A is also expected to heavily rely on vice-captains Fraser McReight and Lalakai Foketi, as well as star wing Filipo Daugunu, the discarded Wallabies trio who have all been key figures in their side’s Pacific Nations Cup title race.

      Up against a Tonga team without its star trio of Israel Folau, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau, Gilmore refused to minimise the threat posed by the ‘Ikale Tahi this weekend.

      “The group has worked hard over the last fortnight to get a great result against Fiji,” Gilmore said in a statement.

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      “To beat a strong Fiji team in Fiji was a special occasion for everyone, in particular for Seru, Filipo, Langi [Gleeson] and Mark.

      “But we need to back it up against Tonga, they will be desperate for a win and will bring plenty of physicality early.

      “We know what to expect and need to make our actions count. The boys are excited for the challenge ahead.”

      Kick-off for Saturday’s clash between Australia A and Tonga is scheduled for 12pm local time.

      Australia A team to play Tonga

      1.Matt Gibbon
      2. Billy Pollard
      3. Tom Robertson
      4. Hugh Sinclair
      5. Seru Uru
      6. Will Harris
      7. Fraser McReight (vc)
      8. Langi Gleeson
      9. Ryan Lonergan (c)
      10. Ben Donaldson
      11. Filipo Daugunu
      12. Lalakai Foketi (vc)
      13. Hudson Creighton
      14. Dylan Pietsch
      15. Jock Campbell

      Reserves:

      16. Matt Faessler
      17. Harry Hoopert
      18. Tom Ross
      19. Jeremy Williams
      20. Tim Anstee
      21. James Tuttle
      22. Tane Edmed
      23. Hamish Stewart

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      R
      RedWarrior 4 hours ago
      The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

      So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

      Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

      Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

      1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

      2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

      3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

      4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


      One last thing missing from English analysis

      How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


      Food for thought old boy!!!!

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