Tonga name team to face USA

Head coach Toutai Kefu has named a virtually identical Tonga side to face the US Eagles at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastián, Spain, on Saturday. The only change to the starting team that defeated Spain comfortably in Madrid this past weekend sees Leicester Tigers star Telusa Veainu restored at fullback after recovering fully from concussion. Gloucester’s Tevita Halaifonua moves to the bench to make room, with the only Tongan-based player in last week’s team, Fetuli Paea, dropping out. One further alteration is made on the bench with Glasgow Warriors tighthead prop Sila Puafisi taking the place of Sione Lea, with Paea Fa’anunu now set to cover loosehead.

While the Ikale Tahi will miss injured loose forwards Sione Kalamafoni and Nili Latu, it remains a formidable lineup composed entirely of full-time professionals and arguably the strongest Tonga have fielded outside of a World Cup. Six of the starting forwards have Super Rugby experience while only two backs have not played for Aviva Premiership clubs.

Tonga have defeated the Eagles in seven out of eight previous matches. The lone exception came in their first meeting, a 30-10 result at San Francisco’s Boxer Stadium in 1999. They last faced each other in the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup, with the Ikale Tahi earning a 33-19 win at BMO Field in Toronto.

The match kicks off at 4pm local time, 10am Eastern, and will be broadcast live on The Rugby Channel.

TONGA
1 Tevita Mailau 2 Paul Ngauamo 3 Siua Halanukonuka 4 Steve Mafi 5 Joe Tu’ineau 6 Daniel Faleafa 7 Jack Ram 8 Tevita Koloamatangi 9 Tane Takulua 10 Kali Hala 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo 12 Latiume Fosita 13 Siale Piutau (capt.) 14 Nafi Tuitavake 15 Telusa Veainu

16 Elvis Taione 17 Paea Fa’anunu 18 Sila Puafisi 19 Valentino Mapapalangi 20 Kotoni Ale 21 Tomasi Palu 22 Tevita Taufu’i 23 Tevita Halaifonua