Second-string Wales bracing for Tonga

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) Tonga's reputation for being somewhat loose with its fists precedes its first rugby match at Millennium Stadium in 12 years on Friday.

In bracing for a rugged test of its defence and discipline, Wales has been buttering up New Zealand referee Mike Fraser, and defence coach Shaun Edwards has gone so far as to say one of Fraser's priorities should be to "protect our players."

"We don't mind them tackling hard, as we do try too, but we do mind when they go over the top," Edwards added. "They won't be happy with what happened last weekend, so let's hope after Friday's match we are talking about the rugby."

The Welsh haven't been choir boys either, though. They have had five in the sin-bin this year, two of them just last Saturday in the 40-6 pasting of Argentina.

There's little doubt Fraser will have his work cut out and Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny will receive penalty kicks. Tongans have been carded five times in seven tests this year, two of them red. The latest was last Saturday, when prop Sona Taumalolo answered Yoann Maestri's high elbow in a ruck by giving the France lock a few right uppercuts and making him tear up. France won 38-18, and so did Maestri, who was sent off but not punished further. Taumalolo, however, was suspended for four weeks.

The match was a reminder of the Tongans often being their own worst enemy. Centers Siale Piutau and Sione Piukala and fullback Vungakoto Lilo were tearing up the French lines, and France was barely hanging on at 14-6 approaching halftime. Then scrumhalf Taniela Moa was yellow-carded for a wayward elbow and France immediately scored a converted try. With Tonga down to 13 early in the second half, France scored again, and the result was beyond doubt at 28-6.

"Tonga played with a lot of width against France," Edwards said. "They do have structure and they are pretty well coach."

They also have a pretty good finisher in Exeter winger Fetu'u Vainikolo, who scored two tries in the tour-opening loss to Romania in Bucharest, and two more against France. He will be marked by 19-year-old Hallam Amos, making his test debut.

Wales changed 11 for the match, to rest the majority of their British Lions for the Wallabies next week, and develop more depth. Confidence is high, and they're motivated for coach Warren Gatland's 100th test (59th for Wales).

"We will win," Edwards said.

Tonga will play the majority of its side for a third straight weekend. The Ikale Tahi made four changes, giving New Zealand-based flyhalf Latiume Fosita his first start, swapping in No. 8 Viliami Ma'afu and replacing both props, bringing in Melbourne's Eddie 'Aholelei, who was sent off against Canada in June for punching.

Unlike Samoa and Fiji, Tonga has never beaten Wales. But a year ago, the Tongans beat Scotland for the first time.

"We have got to be on our guard," Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde said. "Anyone who saw Tonga's game against France knows how much of a threat they can be, especially when they are still in the game."

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Lineups:

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Owen Williams, Ashley Beck, Hallam Amos, James Hook, Lloyd Williams; Ryan Jones (captain), Justin Tipuric, Andrew Coombs, Ian Evans, Luke Charteris, Rhodri Jones, Ken Owens, Paul James. Reserves: Emyr Phillips, Ryan Bevington, Samson Lee, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Rhodri Williams, Rhys Priestland, Jordan Williams.

Tonga: Vungakoto Lilo, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Siale Piutau, Sione Piukala, Will Helu, Latiume Fosita, Taniela Moa; Viliami Ma'afu, Nili Latu (captain), Sione Kalamafoni, Joe Tu'ineau, Lua Lokotui, Sila Puafasi, Elvis Taione, Eddie 'Aholelei. Reserves: Suliasi Taufalele, Taione Vea, Tevita Mailau, Hale T Pole, Opeti Fonua, Samisoni Fisilau, Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, Tevita Halaifonua.