Toutai Kefu’s side includes lots of firepower.
Murray Kinsella Reports from Nantes TONGA HAVE INCLUDED former Munster centre and ex-Ulster fullback Charles Piutau in their starting XV to face Ireland in Nantes this Saturday [KO 8pm Irish time, RTÉ].
Fekitoa and Piutau are two of the four former New Zealand internationals who start Tonga’s opening game of the World Cup, with head coach Toutai Kefu also including scrum-half Augustine Pulu and number eight Vaea Fifita. With Pulu starting in place of regular skipper Sonatane Takulua, tighthead prop Ben Tameifuna will captain the Tongans.Benetton midfielder Fekitoa and Shizuoka BlueRevs fullback Piutau are part of a dangerous-looking backline that also includes one-time Connacht centre Pita Ahki, who now plays for Toulouse.
Up front, former Wallabies lock Adam Coleman is missing as his wait for a Tonga debut goes on, but there are plenty of explosive players in Kefu’s pack.Tonga’s form in their warm-up games wasn’t outstanding as they lost to Fiji, Japan, and Samoa before back-to-back wins against Canada, but will hope to cause Ireland problems on Saturday night.
España Últimas Noticias, España Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Saturday cannot come quickly enough for Tonga who have Ireland in the crosshairs‘We will keep hitting them back … throw everything we have at them,’ says the Pacific nation’s most capped player
Leer más »
Rugby World Cup: Jack Conan the only Ireland player ruled out of Tonga clashDan Sheehan, Dave Kilcoyne and Robbie Henshaw set to be in selection mix for Saturday’s game
Leer más »
Johnny Sexton likely to be named in another strong Ireland selection to face TongaRugby World Cup: Robbie Henshaw set to return after missing opener through injury
Leer más »
Ireland vs. Tonga: Andy Farrell makes bold selection calls, and plenty of changesAndy Farrell will make several changes to his Ireland team to face Tonga, this Saturday, as he keeps one eye on a huge game against the Springboks.
Leer más »
Rugby World Cup: Tadhg Beirne hoping Ireland can dictate play against powerful TongaThe lock says Ireland have one area, in particular, where they must improve in their next Pool B match
Leer más »
Ireland vs. Tonga: Andy Farrell makes bold selection calls, and plenty of changesAndy Farrell will make several changes to his Ireland team to face Tonga, this Saturday, as he keeps one eye on a huge game against the Springboks.
Leer más »