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Tonga reshuffle starting XV, overhaul bench for Canada clash

By Ned Lester
Tonga's Tupou Afungia is tackled. Photo by TUPOU VAIPULU/AFP via Getty Images

‘Ikale Tahi head coach Tevita Tu’ifua has made six changes to his starting XV to face Canada in the fifth-place playoff that kicks off round four of The Pacific Nations Cup this Saturday.

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The tournament has landed in Tokyo for the knockout stages and both Tonga and Canada face their final chance to claim a coveted win after challenging pool stages.

Two changes have been made to the Tongan tight five, including Tevita Ahokovi shifting from the blindside flank to the second row. Sosefo Sakalia also comes in to start at hooker.

John Tapueluelu has made the starting XV on the left wing, while Nikolai Foliaki shifts from fullback to the right wing, accommodating Josiah Unga at fullback.

The impact unit has seen a complete overhaul with Tau Koloamatangi joining the front row reserves,  Kelemete Finau and Vutulongo Puloka rounding out the forwards and an electric backline trio of Manusiu Paea, Latu Akauola and K. Vaea set to bring the energy.

Fixture
Pacific Nations Cup
Tonga
30 - 17
Full-time
Canada
All Stats and Data

Tonga team to face Canada

1. Jethro Felemi
2. Sosefo Sakalia
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Harison Mataele
5. Tevita Ahokovi
6. Siosiua Moala
7. Tupou Afungia
8. Lotu Inisi
9. Aisea Halo
10. Patrick Pellegrini
11. John Tapueluelu
12. Fetuli Paea
13. Fine Inisi
14. Nikolai Foliaki
15. Josiah Unga

Substitutes

16. Penisoni Fineanganofo
17. Salesi Tuifua
18. Tau Koloamatangi
19. Kelemete Finau
20. Vutulongo Puloka
21. Manusiu Paea
22. Latu Akauola
23. K. Vaea

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G
GS 2 hours ago
Bundee Aki sends new reminder to All Blacks he's the one that got away

Interestingly, your dishonesty in not being truthful reflects on you. As explained to you and probably by many other people in the past, NZ is a multi-cultural country with a large percentage of the population being of Polynesian heritage.


Let me share a personal story that illustrates this. My cousin, a good Kiwi girl, fell in love and married a Samoan over 40 years ago. They started a family, and now their daughter is about to start her own.


Now, when the child is older, he/she can choose to play for ABs or Samoa—ABs via birth and Samoa via Grandparents. It is probably very likely, as the husband is a former AB, so a professional rugby career is a distinct possibility.


If he plays for ABs - given your state of mind, NZ has stolen him from Samoa...


There is natural immigration between NZ and the Islands. They are part of our community, and kids do come down on rugby scholarships to learn rugby and get an education.


On the other hand, Ireland specifically targeted adult professional rugby players, who they termed "project players," to cap them for Ireland. Among those numbers are people like Jarrod Payne, Aki, Lowe, CJ Stander, etc.


This "project "was run and funded by the IRFU to directly assist the Irish rugby team in addressing depth issues.


20% of the Irish run on team vs NZ at the WC, were in effect "project players" - maybe Jamieson GP is little different as don't think he was deliberately targeted unlike Aki/Lowe.


That you can honestly compare natural immigration between Islands and the Pacific, where the cultural makeup is similar vs. a targeted project set up by the IRFU, shows just how inherently dishonest you are.


The foolish thing about it is it embarrasses the Irish team when it's not necessary. As shown by the last test against the Boks, Ireland didn't need these project players to win, as they are a quality side without those players.


Instead, all they have done is give people the ability to detract from any achievements by pointing out the Irish brought their way to success.

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