Taione butts into Tongan side
Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:17
Fiji have made wholesale changes for the team thrashed by Australia A for their match against Tonga in Nuku'alofa in the Pacific Nations Cup. Tonga have named controversial Epi Taione.
Of the 22 that played Australia, eight starters are back and two of those who were on the bench. A dozen are no longer there.
Amongst the eight starters, Vereniki Goneva has moved from outside centre to left wing while big Sireli Naqelevuki, usually a wing, has moved off the bench to outside centre.
Of the outside backs only fullback Dan Rawaqa remains in position. The other back to survive unchanged is flyhalf Waisea Luveniyali.
Of the loose forwards only No.8 Netani Talei remains. There is a change at lock where Josefa Domolailai comes in for Ifereimi Rawaqa.
By way of contrast the front row is unchanged and the replacement hooker Vereniki Sauturaga also survives the purge.
Of the Fijian team that played so well against South Africa in the quarterfinal of the 2007 World Cup, Kele Leawere, Sunia Koto and Graham Dewes are the only survivors.
Coach Ili Tabua has brought in uncapped players - in the starting team Nadroga lock Josefa Domolailai who is in for Ifereimi Rawaqa who is injured and on the bench Rupeni Nasiga and Iliesa Keresoni.
Tonga have an interesting selection at inside centre. They have brought in the torpedo Epi Taione who suffered a long suspension during the Super 14 for a headbutt. It was not his first serious brush with the law and disciplinary committees. Against Samoa in the World Cup he played centre and was sent to the sin bin. In that match Hale T-Pole was shown a red card. T Pole will play flank against Fiji on Saturday. The other flank is Nils Latu, a star at the World Cup. Experience Pierre Hola will be at flyhalf.
Fiji: 15 Dan Rawaqa, 14 Jerry Tuilevu, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Saula Radidi, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9
Aporosa Vata, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Deryck Thomas, 5 Kele Leawere (capt) 4 Josefa Domolailai, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes
Replacements: 16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Viliame Seuseu, 18 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 19 Rupeni Nasiga, 20 Nemia Kenatale, 21 Jonetani Ralulu, 22 Iliesa Keresoni
Tonga:15 Lilo Vungakoto, 14 Pone Samisoni, 13 Hudoan Tonga'uhia, 12 Epeli Taione, 11 Suka Hufanga, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Enele Taufa, 8 Samiu Vahafolau, 7 Nili Latu (capt), 6 Hale T Pole, 5 Paino Hehea, 4 Milton Ngauamo, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Ephraim Taukafa, 1 Semisi Telefoni.
Replacements: 16 Ma'asi Viliami, 17 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 18 Joshua Afu, 19 Vilii Vaki, 20 Soane Havea, 21 Fangatapu Apikatoa, 22 Seti Kiole.
Kick-off: 11.00 (local time)
Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
