KEY POINTS:
Tonga today named a side with plenty of first-grade experience for their pre-World Cup rugby league test against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
All but two of the starting 13 are with National Rugby League clubs.
The two others, lock Awen Guttenbeil and hooker Tevita Leo-Latu, are former New Zealand Warriors who have been playing in the English Super League.
The team will be skippered by Sydney Rooster prop Lopini Paea.
Tonga are grouped with Ireland and Samoa in one of the two second-tier pools in the World Cup.
They begin their campaign with a match against Ireland at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney on October 27.
The winners of the two second-tier pools play off for a place in the tournament's semifinals.
Tonga
Fetuli Talanoa, Cooper Vuna, Michael Jennings, Andrew Emilio, Tony Williams, Feleti Mateo, Eddia Paea, Lopini Paea (captain), Tevita Leo-Latu, Antonio Kaufuai, Richard Fa'aoso, Epalahame Lauaki, Awen Guttenbeil.
Interchange (two to be omitted): Willie Manu, Sam Moa, Manase Manuokafoa, Micky Paea, Esikeli Tonga, Joel Taufa'ao.
- NZPA
