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Canada will play their second test in a span of five days against Tonga in Nuku’alofa on Tuesday (Monday in North America). It’s a tough ask for a team that failed to score any points against a 14-man Ikale Tahi for the entire second half, and managed just one penalty goal in the first 40 minutes.
Despite the shortcomings Kingsley Jones has made just three changes to the lineup, one enforced. Injury has ruled out vice-captain Ben LeSage with Mitch Richardson set for his first start and uncapped utility back Gabe Casey on the bench.
It’s also a first start for openside flanker Sion Parry, with captain Lucas Rumball switching to the blindside and Mason Flesch among the reserves. Jason Higgins is a straight swap for Ross Braude at scrumhalf.
Toutai Kefu has named an unusual Tonga selection with a mix of first choice players and seven uncapped players, two in the starting lineup. Six starters keep their place though Sam Moli switches from hooker to flanker, Solomone Funaki from flanker to No8, and Fine Inisi from left wing to outside center.
Former All Black Vaea Fifita starts at lock while William Havili and Pita Ahki boost the backline. Tonga Sevens captain Sione Tupou makes his test debut at flanker and former Utah Warriors scrumhalf Johnny Ika gets his first cap on the wing. Among the five newcomers on the bench is Chris Hala’ufia, son of the former European rugby star of the same name.
Despite the unexpectedly inexperienced bench, the Ikale Tahi have more than enough talent in the lineup to score another strong win over the Canadians. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi and Ben Tameifuna should steady the scrum and provide a platform to set loose the dynamic Tongan midfield.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, Monday 7pm Pacific and 10pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on TSN Digital and Tonga Broadcasting’s Facebook page.
TONGA
1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 2 Sosefo Sakalia, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Steve Mafi, 5 Vaea Fifita, 6 Sam Moli, 7 Sione Tupou, 8 Solomone Funaki, 9 Tane Takulua (capt.), 10 William Havili, 11 Johnny Ika, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 Fine Inisi, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 Otumaka Mausia
Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Fe’ao Fotuaika, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Matani Puloka, 20 Chris Hala’ufia, 21 Feleti Inoke, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Leonaitasi Feke
CANADA
1 Liam Murray, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Conor Young, 4 Izzak Kelly, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 7 Sion Parry, 8 Siaki Vikilani, 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Isaac Olson, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 Kainoa Lloyd, 15 Peter Nelson
Replacements: 16 Foster DeWitt, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Piers von Dadelszen, 20 Mason Flesch, 21 Travis Larsen, 22 Ross Braude, 23 Gabe Casey
Date: Tuesday, August 15 (Monday, August 14 in North America)
Kickoff: 15:00 local (Monday 19:00 Pacific, 22:00 Eastern)
Venue: Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa
Broadcasts: Facebook, TSN Digital
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistants: Jordan Way (Australia) & Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji)
TMO: n/a
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-08-10 – Tonga 28, Canada 3 (Nuku’alofa)
2019-08-09 – Tonga 33, Canada 23 (Lautoka)
2015-07-24 – Canada 18, Tonga 28 (Burnaby)
2013-06-18 – Canada 36, Tonga 27 (Kingston)
2011-09-14 – Canada 25, Tonga 20 (Whangarei)*
2003-10-29 – Canada 24, Tonga 7 (Wollongong)*
2000-05-20 – Canada 26, Tonga 23 (Vancouver)
1999-07-05 – Tonga 18, Canada 10 (Nuku’alofa)
1987-05-24 – Canada 37, Tonga 4 (Napier)*
1974-10-25 – Canada 40, Tonga 14 (Vancouver)
*Rugby World Cup
Tonga Wins: 3
Canada Wins: 6
