WHANGAREI, New Zealand (AP) — Tonga has made four player changes in the side to meet Japan on Wednesday from the team that lost the Rugby World Cup opener against New Zealand.
Winger Fetu'u Vainikolo, outside center Alipate Fatafehi, blindside flanker Sione Vaiomo'unga and lock Tukulua Lokotui were selected Monday to replace Viliame Iongi, Andrew Ma'ilei, Finau Maka and Joe Tu'ineau for the Pool A match at Northland Events Centre.
The Tongans lost 41-10 to the All Blacks at Eden Park and then made 12 changes for Canada in Whangarei last Wednesday, going down 25-20 to almost end their bid to make the quarterfinals.
Halves Taniela Moa and Kurt Morath and center Siale Piutau are set to become the only Tonga players to have started all three matches.
Japan was beaten 47-21 by France in its opener before selecting a second-string team that lost 83-7 to the All Blacks.
"I was very impressed with the way they played France," coach Isitolo Maka said. "I knew that was the team they would play against us. I knew they would play their second team against the All Blacks. So you can't read much into the All Blacks game.
Of backrower and captain Finau Maka, his brother, Isitolo Maka said: "He's got a problem with his ribs, so hopefully he will be right for France. He injured his ribs in the last 15 minutes against Canada. He would have come off but we had used our substitutions, so he had to carry on."
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Tonga: Vungakoto Lilo, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Siale Piutau, Alipate Fatafehi, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Kurt Morath, Taniela Moa; Viliami Ma'afu, Sione Vaiomo'unga, Sione Kalamafoni, Paino Hehea, Tukulua Lokotui, Taufa'ao Filise, Aleki Lutui (captain), Soane Tonga'uiha. Reserves: Aloisio Ma'asi, Alisona Taumalolo, Halani Aulika, Joseph Tu'ineau, Samiu Vahafolau, Samisoni Fisilau, Andrew Ma'ilei.
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