Pacific / Tonga

Sport: 'Ikale Tahi looking for consistency

10:45 am on 24 July 2015

Tonga rugby coach Mana Otai says it was important for him to keep the balance when selecting his team for tomorrow's Pacific Nations Cup clash with Canada just outside of Vancouver.

There are four changes to the 'Ikale Tahi run-on team, with Tevita Mailau replacing Sona Taumalolo in the front row and Sonatane Takalua and Kurt Morath given the chance to impress in the halves.

Viliami Tahitua will make his test debut at second five, having been called into the squad this week, while hooker Sosefo Ma'ake is also poised for his first cap from the bench.

Mana Otai says he was reluctant to change things up too much.

"We're trying to establish on our second game some sort of stability and patterns and stuff like that, and it would be unwise I guess to make a wholesale change so hence the reason why we are seeing where we can introduce the young guys and seeing what others can do, can offer the team, and at the same time keeping some consistency".

Mana Otai says Tonga don't have a good recent record against Canada and they want to try and rectify that this weekend.

Squad:

1. Tevita Mailau

2. Elvis Taione

3. Halani Aulika

4. Steve Mafi

5. Joe Tuineau

6. Hale T Pole

7. Nili Latu

8 Viliami Ma'afu

9. Sonatane Takulua

10. Kurt Moarath

11. Fetu'u Vainikolo

12. Viliami Tahitua

13. Sione Piukala

14. Telusa Veainu

15. Vungakoto Lilo

16. Sosefo Sakalia

17. Alisona Taumalolo

18. Sila Puafisi

19. Uili Kolo'ofa'i

20. Viliami Fihaki

21. Sosefo Ma'ake

22. Latiume Fosita

23. Otulea Katoa