Rugby: Can Tonga topple Wales?

Siale Piutau of Tonga. Photo / Getty

Tonga might just have to cope with the favourites tag in their Pasifika Challenge clash against Wales at Eden Park tomorrow.

Seeking their first win over Wales, they have assembled a quality cast and will hope that four team sessions and 'home' advantage will be enough to repel Wales' band of tyros, with no less than nine uncapped players in their match-day squad of 23.

Captain and centre Siale Piutau, older brother of former All Black Charlie Piutau, is the sole survivor of the Ikale Tahi's last test on Eden Park, the 41-10 defeat to the All Blacks to open RWC 2011. That was a rousing occasion matched by a committed Tongan effort which laid the platform for their famous defeat of France later in that tournament.

"Everyone is saying this is our best opportunity to get them with the amount of players they have out, but we've got about five uncapped players too, so it'll be pretty even," Piutau says.

The team have spoken about 2011 and no doubt a nod to when Nili Latu was leading from the front for a Tongan side that won many admirers at Rugby World Cup 2007. Latu is still going, suiting up in the No 7 jersey and looking every inch the warrior with heavy strapping to his knee. To give you an idea of his experience, he was flying around for Bay of Plenty against the Lions in 2005. He has made this campaign partly due to other injuries but will bring total commitment.

Highlanders prop Siua Halanukonuka is not in the 23, despite playing just 13 minutes in Tuesday's clash against the Lions. Coach Toutai Kefu wants to have a close look at former Waikato bookend Latu Talakai and Northland's Phil Kite at loosehead. At tighthead, Ben Tameifuna finally makes his test debut, five years after he was called into All Blacks camp.

"Ben was supposed to play in November, but he got a stomach ulcer. What are the odds of that? He's really passionate about playing for Tonga and brings an invisible energy," says Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu.

There are already established combinations. Latu plays at Newcastle Falcons with halfback Tane Takalua, a former Blues and Northland No 9. The five-eighths pairing of Latiume Fosita and Vili Tahitua have previously turned out together for the Papatoetoe club. Fosita has been around the rep scene for a few years, but will run the cutter despite having come from second-tier Auckland premier club rugby with Mt Wellington. Crusaders' third-string halfback Leon Fukofuka cannot even make the starting side, a stark indication of the depth in that position.

Kefu does not subscribe to the theory that Wales might be vulnerable in the pack, as their eight contain just 51 caps. The backs have rather more of a solid look, though, with men such as Gareth Davies, captain Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert and former Blues, Chiefs and Auckland first five/fullback Gareth Anscombe in the mix.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our players to be taking part in this match at Eden Park, and we expect them to make the most of it," says Wales coach Robin McBryde, whose team has been based in Takapuna. "We've got an average age of 25 in the match squad, but there are experienced heads in there. We'll need them all to be on top form against what will undoubtedly be a passionate, tough Tongan team.

"We've had a very good week in Auckland. The younger players have gained a valuable insight into what is expected of an international rugby player, with much of that being led by the senior players' example."

Wales will then travel to Apia to face Manu Samoa next Saturday, while Tonga return home for their first tests in Nuku'alofa since 2009, two vital RWC qualifiers against Samoa and Fiji.

Kickoff is at 5.30pm, which should test Auckland's congested roads.

Tonga: David Halaifonua, Nafi Tuitavake, Siale Piutau (c), Viliami Tahitua, Cooper Vuna, Latiume Fosita, Tane Takalua, Valentino Mapapalangi, Nili Latu, Dan Faleafa, Sitiveni Mafi, Leva Fifita, Ben Tameifuna, Paula Ngauamo, Latu Talakai

Reserves: Suliasi Taufalele, Sila Puafisi, Phil Kite, Sione Tau, Michael Faleafa, Leon Fukofuka, Kali Hala, Kitione Taimani

Wales: Gareth Anscombe, Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts (c), Steffan Evans, Sam Davies, Gareth Davies, Josh Navidi, Thomas Young, Aaron Shingler, Cory Hill, Seb Davies, Tomas Francis, Kristian Dacey, Nicky Smith

Reserves: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ellis Jenkins, Ollie Griffiths, Aled Davies, Owen Williams, Cory Allen