Bruised and battered Tonga lose Afeaki

CANBERRA - Tonga have lost inspirational captain Inoke Afeaki from their side to play Wales tomorrow, a game the Pacific Islanders must win to have any hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

An ill-disciplined Tonga side slumped to a 36-12 loss to Italy in their first pool match in Canberra on Wednesday. Their mood worsened even further when Afeaki was taken from the field on a stretcher after being knocked out making a tackle.

Coach Jim Love said the former Wellington forward had also sustained possibly serious knee ligament damage in the tackle on Italy prop Andrea Lo Cicero and would be assessed again in a couple of days to determine if he would play any further part in the tournament.

Tonga, who play pool D heavyweights New Zealand next Friday, must beat Wales and then Canada on October 29 to have any hope of being in the last eight for the first time.

"We want to stay on track with our dream of going to the quarter-finals," Love said.

"The saddest part is that we've got a hell of a lot of players with injuries."

Love has repeatedly expressed his anger that Tonga have to play their four pool matches in 14 days.

He said that five of the players in his 22-man squad were carrying injuries and the tight playing schedule left them little time to recover.

He has also asked for more composure from his players, some of whom he said had suffered "stage fright" against Italy.

Experienced flanker Ipolito Fenukitau, nicknamed "the Tongan Torpedo", switches to blindside flanker, with Stanley Afeaki wearing the No 7 jersey. No 8 Benhur Kivalu takes over as captain.

Lock Milton Ngauamo has been replaced by Usaia Latu, and prop Heamani Lavaka is the only member of the front row to keep his place after the Tongan front three were outplayed by Italy.

Hooker Ephram Taukafa and prop Tonga Lea'aetoa drop back to the bench. The backline is more settled, with just one change: centre Gus Leger making way for Sukanaivalu Hufanga.

Wales coach Steve Hansen has made seven changes for the game.

Six players will make their cup debuts against Tonga - No 8 Alix Popham, lock Robert Sidoli, hooker Mefin Davies, wing Tom Shanklin, prop Iestyn Thomas and fullback Rhys Williams.

Stephen Jones returns to the side at first five-eighths, replacing Ceri Sweeney, and captain Colin Charvis moves to flanker to make way for Popham.

Former league international Iestyn Harris moves from centre to the bench despite playing a role in three of Wales' tries against Canada.

Hansen opted to give more players cup experience following their 41-10 win over Canada.

"We were lucky that everyone came through so well physically from the Canadian match," he said. "There were the usual bumps and bruises but nothing significant to rule anyone out of contention for Tonga."

Wales have beaten Tonga in their last five encounters.

- REUTERS

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