New Dragons signings Fetuli Paea and Fine Inisi have both been named in Tonga’s XV to face Samoa in the opener of their Pacific Nations Cup campaign.
Paea is named as vice-captain at 12 along with former Bristol Bears and Ulster full back Salesi Piutau, with tighthead prop Ben Tameifuna leading the side out.
The game will be held at Tonga’s Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa with kick off set for 03:00am UK time on Saturday, so an early start for anyone keen to catch a first glimpse of our new Dragons.
Tonga warmed up last week in impressive fashion with a six-try, 38-19 win, against the Queensland Reds.
The cup is a competition between Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Canada, USA and Japan with the six sides split evenly into too Pools A and B.
Tonga, Samoa and Fiji are in Pool A with Tonga set to travel to Fiji’s HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday 30th of August in their second game before heading into the play-offs where they will face one of the sides from the other pool.
While being crowned Pacific Nations Cup Champions will be the goal for all sides, there is also the matter of qualification for the Men’s 2027 World Cup in Australia with three guaranteed spots available to join Fiji and Japan in two years’ time.
Tonga XV: Salesi Piutau; Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, Fetuli Paea, John Tapueluelu; Patrick Pellegrini, Sonatane Takulua; Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Siua Maile, Ben Tameifuna (c), Halaleva Fifita, Harison Mataele, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Siosiua Moala, Lotu Inisi.
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Salesi Tuifua, Solomone Tukuafu, Tupou Afungia, Fotu Lokotui, Augustine Pulu, Josiah Unga, Nikolai Foliaki.
