Second leg of the Oceania 1 Play-off between Tonga and Samoa to be contested at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday 17 July
Tonga has made nine changes as they prepare for the second leg of the Rugby World Cup Oceania qualifiers in Hamilton this Saturday.
The ‘Ikale Tahi welcome back flyhalf James Faiva, after being a late withdrawal in the first test, with Kalione Hala returning to fullback and Nafi Tu'itavake moving to the bench.
Two changes to the forward pack with Siua Maile replacing Sam Moli at hooker and Harrison Mataele in at lock for the injured Zane Kapeli, who ruptured his patellar tendon against Manu and is expected to be sidelined for nine months.
Former Chiefs number eight Maama Vaipulu, returns to the squad after five years playing in France and will bolster the team from the bench.
Samoa will go into the match relatively unchanged, with some minor reshuffling in the backline.
Jonathan Taumateine replaces the injured Auvasa Faleali'I at scrumhalf, after playing 75 minutes in the first match, and Ed Fidow is promoted from the bench and will start on the right wing, with Tomasi Alosio shifting to his preferred fullback position in place of Ah See Tuala.
Three debutants have been named on the benches. Grammar Tech hooker Jay Fonokalafi and North Harbour scrumhalf Aisea Halo for Tonga, while former New Zealand Sevens development player, Losi Filipo, is among the reserves for Samoa.
With the Manu defeating Tonga 42-13 in Auckland last weekend, Tonga will need to win this fixture by 30+ points to secure qualification to Rugby World Cup 2023.
A Samoan victory, or loss by less than 29, will see the Manu join England, Argentina, Japan and the Americas 2 qualifier in Pool D in France.
The aggregate loser will face the Cook Islands on July 24 in Pukekohe, with the winner of that match playing off against the 2021 Asia Rugby champion – either Hong Kong, Malaysia or Korea – which will determine the Asia/Pacific 1 berth in Pool B, alongside world champions South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and the Europe 2 qualifier
Game 2: Saturday 17 July 2021
- Tonga v Samoa
- 4:00pm (local time)
- FMG Stadium, Hamilton
- Broadcast: Sky (New Zealand), Stan Sports (Australia)
Teams
Tonga
- Jethro Felemi
- Siua Maile
- Sila Puafisi
- Don Lolo
- Harrison Mataele
- Sione Tu'ipolotu
- Mateaki Kafatolu
- Nasi Manu
- Sonatane Takulua (c)
- James Faiva
- Hosea Saumaki
- Nikolai Foliaki
- Fine Inisi
- Penikolo Latu
- Kalione Hala
- Jay Fonokalafi*
- Duke Nginingini
- Ben Tameifuna
- Maama Vaipulu
- Viliami Taulani
- Aisea Halo*
- Nafi Tu'itavake
- Walter Fifita
Samoa
- Tietie Tuimauga
- Ray Niuia
- Michael Alaalatoa (c)
- Benjamin Nee-Nee
- Samuel Slade
- Olajuwon Noa
- Alamanda Motuga
- Henry Time-Stowers
- Jonathan Taumateine
- Rodney Iona
- Neria Fomai
- Henry Taefu
- Stacey Ili
- Ed Fidow
- Tomasi Alosio
- Seilala Lam
- Jonah Aoina
- Kalolo Tuiloma
- Theo McFarland
- Jack Lam
- Dwayne Polataivao
- D'Angelo Leuila
- Losi Filipo*
