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The teams are set for the opening match of the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup, which kicks off in Suva on Saturday as Fiji face off against Pacific cousins Tonga. The home side will have a leg up on the visitors, as the Flying Fijians played against the Maori a week ago, losing narrowly by a score of 27-26 after leading 26-10 at the half.
John McKee has made eight changes to the team from last week. Sunia Koto returns as hooker and pack leader, and Tevita Cavubati comes into the second row. Team captain Akapusi Qera is rested after a physical outing against the Maori, and passes over the no8 jersey to Masi Matadigo. Vereniki Goneva will assume the captaincy for this match.
A new halfback duo sees Henry Seniloli paired with newcomer Ben Volavola, who makes his run-on debut after winning his first cap as a replacement on Saturday. Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Waisea Nayacalevu are the new wingers, and former 7s captain Levani Botia starts at inside centre.
Tale Tuapati and Josh Matavesi move to the bench, where Taniela Koroi and Metuisela Talebula have also joined the squad. Clermont loose forward Peceli Yato is set to win his first senior cap as a replacement having previously starred for the u20s.
The Ikale Tahi play their first match of the year also showing eight changes to their previous outing, a 37-12 loss to Scotland in Kilmarnock last November. Sona Taumalolo, Elvis Taione, and Halani Aulika are the new front row, with Steve Mafi lining up at lock. Veteran Hale T-Pole fill in at blindside in place of injured Sione Kalamafoni.
Taniela Moa is recalled at scrumhalf in place of Tane Takulua, who moves to the bench, and the new midfield duo is Sione Piukala and Alipate Fatafehi, the latter playing his first test since 2012. Melbourne Rebels winger Telusa Veainu makes his international debut on the right wing, while hooker Sefo Sakalia awaits to make his first appearance as a reserve.
The match is slated to kick off at 3:00pm local time on Saturday, which translates to 11:00pm Eastern on Friday. In last year’s PNC meeting in Lautoka, Fiji came away the winner by a score of 45-17.
FIJI
1 Campese Ma’afu 2 Sunia Koto 3 Manasa Saulo 4 Tevita Cavubati 5 Leone Nakarawa 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu 7 Malakai Ravulo 8 Masi Matadigo 9 Henry Seniloli 10 Ben Volavola 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 12 Levani Botia 13 Vereniki Goneva (capt.) 14 Waisea Nayacalevu 15 Kini Murimurivalu
16 Tale Tuapati 17 Peni Ravai 18 Taniela Koroi 19 Nemia Soqeta 20 Peceli Yato 21 Niko Matawalu 22 Josh Matavesi 23 Metuisela Talebula
TONGA
1 Sona Taumalolo 2 Elvis Taione 3 Halani Aulika 4 Steve Mafi 5 Lua Lokotui 6 Hale T-Pole 7 Nili Latu (capt.) 8 Viliami Ma’afu 9 Taniela Moa 10 Latiume Fosita 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo 12 Sione Piukala 13 Alipate Fatafehi 14 Telusa Veainu 15 Vungakoto Lilo
16 Sefo Sakalia 17 Tevita Mailau 18 Sila Puafisi 19 Joe Tu’ineau 20 Viliami Fihaki 21 Tane Takulua 22 Kurt Morath 23 Otulea Katoa
