Tonga v Canada: Teams
Tonga coach Isotolo Maka has made a host of changes for his side's second World Cup Pool A clash with Canada on Wednesday.
Last Updated: 13/09/11 5:52pm
Tonga coach Isotolo Maka has made a host of changes for his side's second World Cup Pool A clash with Canada on Wednesday.
With the contest coming just five days after their 41-10 loss to the All Blacks in the tournament opener, Maka has opted to make 11 alterations to the line-up and four positional switches.
The most notable of those sees Taniela Moa moved from scrum-half to fly-half with Kurt Morath shifted to full-back, while Perpignan prop Kisi Pulu is handed a starting spot.
The Pacific Islanders battled bravely in the second half of their defeat to New Zealand and will be keen to get on the board in a match they are favoured to win.
Canada, in contrast, will be playing in their first match of the tournament and coach Kieran Crowley says that winning the battle of the forwards will be key to his side's chances.
The Canucks' pack includes a strong back row of Adam Kleeburger, new Ospreys signing Chauncey O'Toole and Aaron Carpenter, a unit that will aim to take the physical sting out of their opposite numbers.
"The set play is crucial. You've got to get good platform ball so that will be a massive challenge for the guys around the scrum the line-out and the contact area," he told the Rugby Canada website.
"Tonga bring a real physical game to the table and we've got to match that."
An encouraging build-up to the World Cup has seen Canada reach the final of the Churchill Cup and put in a competitive display against an Australian Barbarians side.
Crowley has decided to stick with largely the same side that played in the latter match but an enforced late change sees Matt Evans dropped from the bench after picking up a knock in training.
Tonga: 15 Kurt Morath, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Alipate Fatafehi, 11 William Helu, 10 Taniela Moa, 9 Thomas Palu, 8 Samiu Vahafolau, 7 Sione Vaiomounga, 6 Finau Maka (c), 5 Tukulua Lokotui, 4 Sione Timani, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Ephraim Taukafa, 1 Alisona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aloisio Ma'asi, 17 Soane Tonga'uiha, 18 Halani Aulika, 19 Viliami Ma'afu, 20 Sione Kalamafoni, 21 Viliame Iongi, 22 Alaska Taufa.
Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Ciaran Hearn, 13 DTH Van Der Merwe, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Phil Mackenzie, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O'Toole, 6 Adam Kleeberger, 5 Jamie Cudmore, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (capt), 1 Hubert Buydens.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Hamilton, 17 Scott Franklin, 18 Tyler Hotson, 19 Nanyak Dala, 20 Conor Trainor, 21 Sean White, 22 Nathan Hirayama.
