PACIFIC NATIONS TEST RUGBY: Fiji and Tonga Clash

02.07.2011
Tonga v Fiji in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)

Venue: Churchill Park

Referee:

Preview
Tonga and Fiji clash in the second Pacific Nations Cup rugby test for the weekend. The other clash is Samoa v Japan in Tokyo.

This tournament is pivotal for both teams leading up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup finals to be played in New Zealand. Tonga has the advantage of match play against a Fijian side yet to take the field this southern winter. Tonga played three matches in the Churchill Cup, which was played in England last month.

Tonga has recalled a number of old hands from European clubs, some having not played a test match for a year or so, even to a player who last turned out for Tonga back in 2001!

Anything can happen in these test matches. Tonga has a slight advantage in that they have already played three international matches for the Churchill Cup. However players have coma and gone from that squad so new combinations have to be made.

Fiji has the home advantage and over the last two seasons they have got the better of their island neighbours.

Last Five Encounters
19.06.2010 Fiji 41-38 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
13.06.2009 Fiji 36-22 in Nuku’alofa (Pacific Nations Cup)
05.07.2008 Tonga 27-16 in Nuku’alofa (Pacific Nations Cup)
16.06.2007 Tonga 21-15 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
10.06.2006 Tonga 24-23 in Gosford (Pacific Five Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Fiji 11th, Tonga 14th
Oceania Table-Fiji 4th, Tonga 5th

IRB Ranking Points
Fiji 74.05, Tonga 68.90

Prediction: Fiji by 6

Teams

Fiji
15. Kini Murimurivalu (Clermont Ferrand, France) Age ? , New cap
14. Vereniki Goneva (Colomiers, France) 27, 13
13. Albert Vulivuli (Racing Metro, France) 26, 3
12. Gabiriele Lovobalavu (Toulon, France) 26, 11
11. Timoci Nagusa (Montpellier, France) 23, 7
10. Nicky Little (Unattached) 34, 65
9. Nemia Ranuku (Tailevu) 25, 8
8. Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Waikato, New Zealand) 25, 4
7. Ratu Ravulo (North Harbour, New Zealand) 27, 2
6. Josefa Domolailai (Bobigny, France)
5. Tevita Cavubati (Spotswood RFC, New Zealand) , New cap
4. Sokonaia Kalou (Otago, New Zealand)
3. Deacon Manu (Llanelly Scarlets, Wales) 32, 7
2. Viliame Veikoso (Nadi) 29, 8
1. Graham Dewes (Counties Manukau, New Zealand) 29, 18
Replacements
16. Talemaitoga Tuapati (Southland, New Zealand) 25, 7
17. Ratu Makutu (Counties Manukau) , New cap
18. Leone Nakarawa (Suva) 23, 5
19. Malakai Volau (?) , 1 (in 2009)
20. Vitori Buatava (Gold Coast, Australia) 25, 4
21. Waisea Luveniyali (London Welsh, England) 25, 8
22. Adriu Delai (Nadi) , New cap

Head Coach: Samuela Domoni

Adapted from http://www.fijirugby.com/pages.cfm/fru-news/?section=2011&newsid=flying-fijians-team-list-versus-tonga
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji_national_rugby_union_team

Nicky Little returns to test rugby after a years break. He holds both the most test caps for Fiji record (65) and also the most test points (652)

A number of experienced players originally named in the squad of 50 are missing, notably forwards Wame Lewaravu, Iferemi Rawaka, Akapusi Qera, Sisa Koyamaibole, Netani Talei, and backs Serei Bai, Sereli Naqelevuki, Seru Rabeni, Mike Tagicakibau and Iliesi Keresoni.

Tongan Squad

Hooker
'Ilaisa Ma'asi * (Counties Manukau, New Zealand) 29, 4
Ifalemi Taukafa (Lyon OU, France) 35, 26 (2003 RWC Squad, Last test 2008)

Props
Kisi Pulu * (Perpignan, France) 33, 23
Tonga Lea'aetoa * (Bayonne, France) 34, 21
Alisona Taumalolo (Waikato) 30,
Semisi Telefoni * (Agen, France) 28, 4 (Last test 2009)

Locks
Tukulua Lokotui (Club in Japan) 31, 1 (back in 2001 !)
Lisiate Fa'aoso (Agen, France) 28, 9 (Last test 2009)
Joseph Tu'ineau (Southland, New Zealand) 29, (New cap?)
Sitiveni Mafi * (Leicester Tigers, England) 21, 3

Loose Forward
Viliami Ma'afu * (Mitsubishi, Japan) 29, 1
Tevita Ula * (Fasi Ma'ufanga) 26, New cap
Sione Kalamafoni (Nottingham, England) 23, 4
Samiu Vahafolau, Capt. (Biarritz Olympique, France) 33, 6 (last test 2009)
Osaiasi Pepa Koloamatangi * (Counties Manukau, New Zealand) 29, 1
Sione Vaiomo'unga (Toloa Old Boys RFC) 21, 1 (2009)

Half back
Samisoni Fisilau (Counties Manukau, New Zealand) 23, 3
Soane Havea * (Marist Old Boys) 29, 26
Tomasi Palu (Norths RFC, New Zealand) 24, new cap

Flyhalf
Kurt Morath * (Southern Districts RFC, Australia) 26, 5

Inside Centre
Andrew Ma'ilei (Bordeaux-Begles, France) 31, 14
Alaska Taufa (Akita, Japan) 27, 3

Outside Centre
Sukanaivalu Hufanga * (CA Brive, France) 28, 18
Hudson Tonga'uiha * (London Welsh, England) 27, 19 (last test 2009)

Wing
Viliame Iongi * (Canberra, Australia) 21, 1
William Helu * (Grenoble, France) 25, 3

Fullback
Vungakoto Lilo, Vice-Captain, (Bordeaux-Begles, France) 28, 16
Mateo Malupo * (Tautahi Gold) 22, 3

Head Coach: 'Isitolo Maka,

http://www.matangitonga.to/article/sports/rugby/20110623_tonga_ikaletahi.shtml

* With Churchill Cup squad

Team list data from http://www.oceaniarugby.com/teams/tonga/2011_pnc_-_tonga_player_profiles.html and from www.rugbyinternational.net unpublished data lists. Also some data verified from Stuart Farmers data on www.scrum.com