Pacific Nations Cup: Tonga make five changes ahead of must-win match against Fiji

Tongan rugby coach Tevita Tu'ifua has made three changes in the forwards and two in the backline to take on the in-form Flying Fijians in their Pool A clash in Nuku'alofa on Friday.

The changes follow the 'Ikale Tahi's 43-17 defeat to Manu Sāmoa in Apia last week. Fiji beat Sāmoa 42-16 earlier in Suva.

Tu'ifua has named loosehead prop Jethro Felemi and hooker Solomone Aniseko to pair captain Ben Tameifuna in the front row. Felemi and Aniseko were on the bench against the Sāmoans.

Flanker Tevita Ahokovi will replace Siosiua Moala at the side of the scrum.

Tu'ifua has also named halfback Aisea Halo and winger Samuel Tuitupou, both on the bench in the Apia test, to start against the Fijians.

The Tonga rugby team held their captain's run on Thursday ahead of Friday's must-win game against Fiji. Photo/Tonga Rugby Union

Tonga must score four tries and win Friday's match by at least 27 points, while denying Fiji any points, to progress to the semi-finals.

Fiji are currently sitting at the top of Pool A after their win over the Sāmoans, who equally defeated the Tongans.

So, the task ahead for the 'Ikale Tahi is daunting, coach Tu'ifua says. But he adds it is not impossible. Tonga have beaten Fiji.

Both sides have met 94 times with the Tongans winning 27 of those. They beat the Fijians 9-6 in their first test in 1923.

Since the 1995 Rugby World Cup where they qualified ahead of Fiji on a points difference, the 'Ikale Tahi have not been able to beat their neighbours.

Fijian coach Mick Byrne has also made five changes with Eroni Mawi, the Saracens' loosehead prop, returning to the front row, and lock Mesake Vocevoce and No.8 Albert Tuisue, both coming off the bench against Sāmoa, to start in the forward pack.

Tonga rugby team at training as coach Tevita Tu'ifua rings in the changes ahead of Friday's game against Fiji. Ikale Tahi captain Ben Tameifuna, far right, and Tupou Ma'afu Afu work on the lineout. Photo/TRU

Loosehead Haereiti Hetet and backrower Kitione Salawa have been relegated to the bench this week.

The return of Tuisue, who plays for the Gloucester Club in England, sees Elia Canakaivata move to the flank after featuring at the back of the scrum against Sāmoa.

Bryne has also named Adrea Cocagi to start at No.12 ahead of Inia Tabuavou, who will sit on the bench against Tonga.

Former New Zealand-born schools star Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula will replace his Super Rugby Fijian Drua team-mate Selestino Ravutaumada at fullback, while Bryne has shifted Vuata Karawalevu to the wing against the 'Ikale Tahi.

Bryne says they will not be taking the Tongans lightly, given they have the home advantage.

The Tonga v Fiji clash will be held at Te'ufaiva Stadium from 3pm, NZ time., and can be watched on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, and Sky Go.

Pool B sees Japan, the USA, and Canada, with the Japanese taking on the Americans on Saturday at 10.05pm in Tokyo.

The Flying Fijians hold their training run ahead of Friday's match against Tonga. Photo/FRU

Teams

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

Fiji and Sāmoa have played each other 56 times, with the Fijians winning 32 of them and the Sāmoans 21, and three draws. Photo/Samoa Observer

Fiji XV
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Tevita Ikanivere
3 Samu Tawake
4 Mesake Vocevoce
5 Temo Mayanavanua
6 Meli Derenalagi
7 Elia Canakaivata
8 Albert Tuisue
9 Frank Lomani
10 Caleb Muntz
11 Epeli Momo
12 Adrea Cocagi
13 Iosefo Masi
14 Vuate Karawalevu
15 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Replacements
16 Mesulame Dolokoto
17 Haereiti Hetet
18 Peni Ravai
19 Ratu Rotuisolia
20 Kitione Salawa
21 Peni Matawalu
22 Inia Tabuavou
23 Ilaisa Droasese