Tonga coach Toutai Kefu brought back the same team as the one heavily beaten by Ireland (59-16) when they entered the fray.
“We didn’t show our best face last week. The guys deserve another chance,” he explained. “We want to correct the situation and show what we are really capable of.”
Only two new players will appear on the bench: fly-half Patrick Pellegrini and Bordeaux-Bègles second row Adam Coleman, who has 38 caps with Australia, returning from a calf injury.
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The Tongan starting XV includes four former All Blacks (Salesi Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa, Augustine Pulu and Vaea Fifita) and seven players playing in France, including captain Ben Tameifuna, pillar of the UBB.
The XV des Tonga : Piutau – Kata, Fekitoa, Akhi, Taumoepeau – (o) Hawili, (m) Pulu – Talitui, V. Fifita, Halaifonua – Lousi, H. Fifita – Tameifuna (cap.), Ngauamo, Fisi’ihoi .
Replacements: Moli, Koloamatangi, Apikotoa, Coleman, Paea, Vailanu, Takulua, Pellegrini