Tonga v Canada - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: Tonga will get some valuable World Cup preparations when they face Canada in two 'warm-up' matches in Nuku'alofa on August 10 and 15.
The Canadian team will play their first matches since facing the Netherlands and Namibia in Amsterdam in November.
Tonga - drawn in a tough Pool B against world No.1 Ireland, No.4 South Africa, No.5 Scotland and No.19 Romania - is ranked 15.
They will fancy their chances against the 23rd-ranked Canadians - having already featured in the Pacific Nations Cup against Japan, Samoa and Fiji.
Canadian coach Kingsley Jones named his team for the first of the two Test matches against Tonga at Teufaiva Stadium.
Led by co-captains Lucas Rumball and Ben LeSage, this will be the first time that Canada played Tonga since August 2019 in Fiji, as well as just the second match Tonga has played at home since 2017, with the Ikale Tahi having hosted Australia A in July.
Izzak Kelly, who capped off his final season with UBC by winning the 2022 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship and now plays with Spotswood United RFC in New Zealand, will earn his first start for Canada.
Conor Young and Mason Flesch will also earn their first starts for Canada, with Young having made his debut off the bench against the Netherlands last fall and Flesch returning to international competition following recovery from injury.
Potentially coming off the bench to play in their first caps for Canada are Siôn Parry, Travis Larsen and Mitch Richardson.
Parry has honed his game in Wales, while Larsen and Richardson both had strong seasons with the Toronto Arrows and have previously represented Canada 'A' in the Americas Pacific Challenge.
Meeting up with the team in Tonga is Cole Keith, who was recently named to the Manawatu Turbos 2023 squad and played his first few matches in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship prior to joining Canada.
Prior to travelling to Tonga, Canada held a 12-day training camp in Nadi, Fiji, which included a closed training scrimmage with the Fijian Drua Academy.
"The team has put in a lot of good work over the last 12 days and our leadership group has really taken ownership and stepped up to lead this group well. They are focused and eagerly anticipating the challenge of facing a strong Tongan team," said Kingsley Jones.
"Coming into this tour, we were looking forward to seeing a mix of veteran players and newer faces push and motivate each other on and off the pitch, and the roster we have named for Thursday's match reflects that."
Prediction
@rugby365com: Tonga by 13 points
Teams:
Tonga: 15 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 George Moala, 11 Fine Inisi, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Tane Takulua (captain), 8 Sione Vailanu, 7 Sione Havili, 6 Solomone Funaki, 5 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 David Lolohea, 2 Sam Moli, 1 Tau Koloamatangi.
Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Fe’ao Fotu’aika, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Vaea Fitita, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Johnny Ika, 22 Otumaka Mausia, 23 Solomone Kata.
Canada: 15 Peter Nelson, 14 Kainoa Lloyd, 13 Ben LeSage, 12 Spencer Jones, 11 Isaac Olson, 10 Robbie Povey, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Siaki Vikilani, 7 Lucas Rumball, 6 Mason Flesch, 5 Conor Keys, 4 Izzak Kelly, 3 Conor Young, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 1 Liam Murray.
Replacements: 16 Foster Dewitt, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Piers Von Dadelszen, 20 Siôn Parry, 21 Travis Larsen, 22 Jason Higgins, 23 Mitch Richardson.
Date: Thursday, August 10
Venue: Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa
Kick-off: 15.00 (02.00 GMT; 19.00 Pacific Canadian time; 22.00 Eastern Canadian time, Wednesday, August 9)
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Tevita Rokovereni (France)