32 - 18

18 - 49

35 - 10

27 - 22

34 - 24

47 - 32

30 - 33

19 - 22

14 - 0

29 - 20

11 - 10

20 - 15

29 - 10

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Pacific Nations Cup

Tonga change 5 for daunting Fiji challenge in Pacific Nations Cup

By Josh Raisey

107 days ago

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.

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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The Boks Office crew, joined by Andrew Mehrtens, discuss why South Africa fell behind at Ellis Park. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV

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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

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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Comments on RugbyPass

Barry 27 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 35 minutes ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 4 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 5 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU