Nine debuts in Tonga's team to face the All Blacks

Tonga have included nine new caps in its starting XV to play the All Blacks in the first game of the Steinlager Series at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.

Four of their substitutes could also make their debuts in the first game.

The Test is Tonga's last game before their important two-game series with Manu Samoa for qualification for the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.

All three loose forwards, openside Solomone Funaki, who has played for Hawke's Bay, blindside flanker Mateaki Kafatolu, from Wellington, and No8 Sione Tu'ipolotu are newcomers to Test level.

The midfield pairing of Nikolai Foliaki and North Harbour's Fine Inisi will also be playing their first Tests. Lock Don Lolo has played for both South Canterbury and North Otago in Heartland rugby and this year played club rugby in Dunedin.

His locking partner Zane Kapeli made his Test debut in 2018 and has played 10 Tests. A member of the Bay of Plenty side, he appeared in several games for the Chiefs in 2021 and made 18 appearances for Waikato between 2013-15.

Captaining the side will be halfback Sonatane Takulua. He joins first five-eighths Kalione Hala who has played nine Test while fellow five-eighths James Faiva, another nine-Test veteran, will play fullback.

Hosea Saumaki also makes his debut while former Highlanders captain Nasi Manu provides some firepower on the bench for the Ikale Tahi.

The Tonga team is:

1.Duke Nginingini*, 2.Sam Moli*, 3.Sila Puafisi, 4.Don Lolo*, 5.Zane Kapeli, 6.Mateaki Kafatolu*, 7.Solomone Funaki*, 8.Sione Tu'ipolotu*, 9.Sonatane Takulua (captain), 10.Kalione Hala, 11.Penikolo Latu, 12.Nikolai Foliaki*, 13.Fine Inisi*, 14.Hosea Saumaki*, 15.James Faiva.

Substitutes: 16. Siua Maile, 17.Jethro Felemi, 18.Tau Koloamatangi*, 19.Harrison Mataele*, 20.Viliami Taulani*, 21.Nasi Manu, 22.Leon Fukofuka, 23.Walter Fifita*

* Indicates debut