To face the South African world champions on Sunday at the Vélodrome in Marseille (9:00 p.m.), Tongan coach Toutai Kefu made only three changes compared to his team largely beaten by Ireland (59-16) and Scotland (45-17).

In place of Vaea Fifita, suspended after his red card against Scotland, the Tongan coach, 1999 world champion with the Wallabies, established in the center of the third row the young Semisi Paea, 24 years old, 112 kg for 1, 94 m, second training line who plays for the New Zealand club Bay of Plenty. “He is a very impressive player, who should reach his highest level in the next two to three years,” Toutai Kefu said. The two other changes in the starting XV of the “Eagles of the Seas” concern the wings, with the replacements of Solomone Kata and Afusipa Taumoepeau by respectively Fine Inisi and Anzelo Tuitavuki, “two players with great potential”, insisted the former international Australian.

For Toutai Kefu, we therefore do not change, or barely, a losing team. Thus, except for Fifita, forced to leave the team, the three other ex-Tongian All Blacks will be on the pitch at kick-off, whether full-back Salesi Piutau, center Malakai Fekitoa or scrum-half Augustine Pulu.

“It’s certain that from a results point of view, it’s been rather disappointing so far, but for example I don’t think Ireland were worth 60 points more than us,” explained the Tongan coach. “These (New Zealand) players have really shown the way in terms of professionalism,” he added, “it’s just that we haven’t spent enough time together, but we have the talent.” In total, six players playing in France will be in the Tongan starting XV, including Toulouse center Pita Ahki, two others being on the substitutes’ bench, with second row Adam Coleman, ex-Australian international who plays for Bordeaux-Bègles , and scrum half Sonatane Takulua from Agen.

XV des Tonga: Piutau – Inisi, Fekitoa, Ahki, Tuitavuki – W. Havili (o), Pulu (m) – Talitui, Paea, Halaifonua – Lousi, H. Fifita – Tameifuna (c), Ngauamo, Fisi’ihoi.

Remplaçants: Moli, Koloamatangi, Apikotoa, Coleman, Vailanu, Takulua, Pellegrini, Taumoepeau.