Head coach Toutai Kefu has named an unchanged starting XV for Tonga’s World Cup Pool B match against Scotland at Nice on Sunday.
The only changes from the match-day 23 that lost 59-16 To Ireland in their opening game are lock Adam Coleman and flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini coming on to the bench.
Coleman, who won 38 caps for Australia, joins four former All Blacks in Tonga’s starting XV in fullback Charles Piutau, centre Malakai Fekitoa, scrumhalf Augustine Pulu and No 8 Vaea Fifita.
Kefu has called up an additional medical replacement after already being forced into two changes to his original 33-man squad.
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After call-ups for Siate Tokolahi, who replaced prop Feao Fotuaika, and Patrick Pellegrini, who stepped in for fly-half Otumaka Mausia, Kefu has now summoned flanker Penitoa Finau to replace the injured Solomone Funaki.
After Scotland, Tonga go on to play defending champions South Africa in Marseille on October 1 before wrapping up their pool play against Romania in Lille a week later.
Tonga – 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Pita Ahki, 10 William Havili, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Sione Talitui, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Halaleva Fifita, 3 Ben Tameifuna (c), 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi.
Subs: 16 Sam Moli, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Sosefo Apikotoa, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Semisi Paea, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Sonatane Takulua, 23 Patrick Pellegrini.
© Agence France-Presse