Folau, Piutau, Fekitoa drop out of Tonga's matchday squad to face Samoa
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Tonga have made mass changes to their matchday 23 after a crushing 36-0 defeat to Fiji in their Pacific Nations Cup opener.
Facing Samoa this weekend (kick-off 1am BST), there are seven changes to the starting XV with Israel Folau, Charles Piutau, and Malakai Fekitoa all dropping out of the matchday squad completely.
Folau picked up an injury in his debut last weekend and is replaced by Tima Fainga'anuku - older brother of Leicester, who made his test debut for the All Blacks on the same day as Tima debuted for Tonga last week - while Fekitoa is replaced in the #12 jumper by Highlanders' centre Fetuli Paea.
Willie Havili switches from flyhalf to fullback in place of Piutau with James Faiva taking over the playmaking duties. Afusipa Taumoepeau and Anzelo Tui'tavuki retain their starting roles at outside centre and left-wing respectfully with Tane Takulua continuing to captain the side from scrumhalf.
In the pack, Sione Tu'ipulotu starts at no.8 with Sione Havili replacings Solomone Funaki at openside. Tanginoa Halaifonua starts at blindside once again with Sam Lousi joining Veikoso Poloniati in the second row replacing Leva Fifita.
Up front, Siegfried Fisi'hoi, Siua Maile, and Ben Tameifuna give Tonga a hefty advantage.
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Tonga team to face Samoa:
- Siegfried Fisi'ihoi
- Siua Maile
- Ben Tameifuna
- Veikoso Poloniati
- Sam Lousi
- Tanginoa Halaifonua
- Sione Havili
- Sione Tu'ipulotu
- Tane Takulua
- James Faiva
- Anzelo Tui'tavuki
- Fetuli Paea
- Afusipa Taumoepeau
- Tima Fainga'anuku
- Willie Havili
Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Fe'ao Fotuaika*, Siate Tokolahi, Semisi Paea, Solomone Funaki, Lotu Isini, Manu Paea, 'Otumaka Mausia*
