Tonga’s head coach Toutai Kefu has been forced to make two injury-related changes to the squad for Saturday’s Pacific Nations Cup match against the Georgians in Fiji.
Flyhalf George Taina is replaced by utility back James Faiva, from the Tonga A.
Hooker Sione Lea is replaced by Prop Ben Tameifuna from Racing 92.
The changes came after Kefu announced his Ikale Tahi 30 man squad on May 21.
TRU said this tournament is a key preparation step towards the World Cup in 2019.
Test Match schedule is as follows:
- June 9th: vs Georgia, Suva, Fiji
- June 16th: vs Samoa, Suva, Fiji
- June 23rd: vs Fiji, Nadi, Fiji
Siale Piutau will captain the side with the six uncapped players selected for the campaign.
Four new staff also join the team, among them former All Black Pita Alatini joins as Assistant Coach and former ‘Ikale Tahi captain ‘Inoke Afeaki joins the staff as Team Manager for the tour and will be assisted by Tony Alatini.
The Team:
| Position | Name | Last Name | Village | CLUB |
| Prop | Siegfried | Fisi’ihoi | Falaleu & ‘Utui (Vv) | Stade Francais |
| Prop | David | Lolohea | Ha’asini (Tt) | West Harbour Pirates |
| Prop | David | Feao | Kolovai (Tt) | Narbonne |
| Hooker | Sione | Lea | Vaimalo (Vv) | Taranaki |
| Hooker | Paula | Ngauamo | Vaini, Kolomotu’a, Fasi & Kolofo’ou (Tt) | Agen |
| Hooker | Sefo | Sakalia | Ma’ufanga (Tt) & Nomuka (Hp) | Rugby Steaua |
| Prop | Siua | Halanukonuka | Hoi (Tt) | Glasgow |
| Prop | Vunipola | Fifita | Kala’au and Malapo (Tt) | Souths Magpies |
| Prop | Paea | Fa’anunu | Leimatu’a (Vv) | Castres |
| Lock | Sitiveni | Mafi | ‘Ahau (Tt) & Kolovai (Tt) | Castres |
| Lock | Leva | Fifita | Neiafu (Vv) | Waikato |
| Lock | Joe | Tu’ineau | Fasi Moe Afi (Tt) | DAX |
| Lock | Dan | Faleafa | Kolomotu’a & Kolovai (Tt) | US Colomiers |
| Backrow | Mike | Faleafa | Kolomotu’a & Kolovai (Tt) | Perpignan |
| Backrow | Valentino | Mapapalangi | Holonga & Ha’alalo (Tt) | Leicester Tigers |
| Backrow | Fotu | Lokotui | Longoteme (Tt) | Counties Manukau |
| Backrow | Maama | Vaipulu | Folaha (Tt) | Castres |
| Backrow | Nasi | Manu | Vaini & Ha’ateiho (Tt) | Treviso |
| Halfback | Sonatane | Takulua | Lapaha, Ma’ufanga (Tt) & Niuatoputapu | Newcastle Falcons |
| Halfback | Suke | Tuumotooa | Houma (Tt) | NEC Green Rockets |
| Flyhalf | Kurt | Morath | Leimatu’a (Vv) | Utah Warriors |
| Flyhalf | Latiume | Fosita | Haveluloto (Tt) & Felemea (Hp) | Counties Manukau |
| Flyhalf | George | Taina | Vaini (Tt) | Tonga A |
| Centre | Siale | Piutau | Kolofo’ou & Folaha (Tt) | Bristol Bears |
| Centre | Nafi | Tu’itavake | Kolomotu’a (Tt) & Malapo (Tt) | Northampton Saints |
| Wing | Sione | Fifita | Hihifo (Hp) | Counties Manukau |
| Wing | Penikolo | Latu | Mataika (Vv) | University of Waikato |
| Wing | Cooper | Vuna | Houma (Tt) | Bath |
| Wing | Viliami | Lolohea | Navutoka (Tt) & Niuatoputapu | Tasman |
| Fullback | David | Halaifonua | Fatumu & Tukulalo, Houma (Vv) | Gloucester |
