APC Preview – Tonga vs Uruguay

Uruguay will use the 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge as part of their World Cup Qualifying preparations and will begin their tournament against Tonga in the first round on Saturday. Uruguay will field an ‘A’ side of test strength while Tonga name just one capped player in their largely domestic-based squad.

Leading out the Pacific Islanders will be Sione Lolohea, the regular captain of the ‘A’ side, who is joined by fellow Ikale Tahi extended squad member Vainanuma Manu in the tight five. A powerful loose forward unit sees Sione Tupou on the flank and Japan-based Topui Sekona at No 8 after joining up with the squad during the week.

The backs are an interesting mix with Samiu Muna named at No 10 despite normally used as a scrumhalf. Capped winger Fetuli Paea starts beside Sila Pelu Ua clubmate Fe’ofa’aki Kaumavae in the midfield. Another player usually seen at halfback, Sione Ika, will run out at fullback.

By contrast Uruguay will run out three players with more than 50 test caps including all-time record holder Diego Magno. Former Munster prop Mario Sagario adds his experience to the front row but there is youth in the back row with Rodolfo Garese the oldest at only 23.

A pair of Trébol halfbacks will direct the back division in captain Guillermo Lijtenstein and Lucas Durán, the latter also often employed as a scrumhalf. Teritos captain Agustin Della Corte starts in the midfield along side Joaquin Prada, who returns after more than a year’s absence due to medical studies. Gastón Gibernau is a surprise choice at fullback having previously been selected as a centre or wing.

Kickoff is set for 4:30pm local time, 3:30pm Eastern. A live stream will be provided by World Rugby.

[EDIT: Kickoff is now 4pm local, 3pm Eastern as per World Rugby.]

TONGA ‘A’
1 Puniani Malafu, 2 Sione Lolohea (capt.), 3 Makasine Lutua, 4 Vainanuma Manu, 5 Atunaisa Faka’osi, 6 Taniela Na’a, 7 Sione Tupou, 8 Topui Sekona, 9 Sosaia Tokai, 10 Samiu Muna, 11 Soape Polutele, 12 Fe’ofa’aki Kaumavae, 13 Fetuli Paea, 14 Heamatangi Tu’ivai, 15 Sione Ika

Replacements: 16 Leiataua Kilifi, 17 Solomone Kioa, 18 Misinale Taukalo, 19 Faiva Sailosi, 20 Aisea Puaka, 21 James Faiva, 22 Paki Afu, 23 Posiana Kamoto

URUGUAY ‘A’
1 Matías Benítez, 2 Germán Kessler, 3 Mario Sagario, 4 Diego Magno, 5 Diego Ayala, 6 Rodolfo Garese, 7 Gonzalo Soto, 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Guillermo Lijtenstein (capt.), 10 Lucas Durán, 11 Federico Favaro, 12 Agustín Della Corte, 13 Joaquín Prada, 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Gastón Gibernau

Replacements: 16 Carlos Pombo, 17 Carlos Arboleya, 18 Facundo Gattas, 19 Mathias Palomeque, 20 Juan Diego Ormaechea, 21 Leandro Segredo, 22 Baltasar Brum, 23 Rodrigo Bocking

Date: Saturday, October 7
Venue: Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
Kickoff: 16:00 local (15:00 ET, 12:00 PT)
Referee: Vlad Iordachescu (FRR)
Broadcasts: Facebook Stream, World Rugby Stream