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Latu to lead Islanders

20th November 2008 06:46

Nili Latu

Nili Latu: Set to lead the Islanders into battle

Tongan flanker Nili Latu will lead the Pacific Islanders against Italy on Saturday in their tour finale after captain Mosese Rauluni was dropped to the bench.

Rauluni led the Islanders in their first two Tests, the 39-13 loss to England and last weekend's 42-17 defeat from France.

But he was replaced by Scarlets scrum-half Sililo Martens among seven changes to the side facing the Azzurri at Reggio Emilia.

Justin Va'a, who played England, comes in for prop Kas Lealamanua, while lock Filipo Levi replaces Kele Leawere. Flanker Hale T-Pole steps down to the bench and makes way for fellow Tongan Viliami Vaki.

There is an entirely new back three for the Islanders, with Vilimoni Delasau, Sailosi Tagicakibau and Kameli Ratuvou brought back for Seru Rabeni, the suspended Napolioni Nalaga and Gavin Williams respectively.

Pacific Islanders: 15: Kameli Ratuvou (Fiji), 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), 13 Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), 12 Epi Taione (Tonga), 11 Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji), 10 Seremaia Bai (Fiji), 9 Sililo Martens (Tonga), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole (Fiji), 7 Nili Latu (Tonga, captain), 6 Viliami Vaki (Tonga), 5 Paino Hehe4 Filipo Levi (Samoa),a (Tonga), 3 Kisi Pulu (Tonga), 2 Tanielu Fuga (Samoa),

1 Justin Va'a (Samoa).

Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto (Fiji), 17 Tonga Lea'aetoa (Tonga), 18 Semisi Naevo (Fiji), 19 Hale T Pole (Tonga), 20 Mosese Rauluni (Fiji), 21 Seru Rabeni (Fiji), 22 Gavin Williams (Samoa).

Date: Saturday, November 22

Venue: Stadio Giglio, Reggio Emilio

Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Touch judges: Christophe Berdos, Hugh Watkins (Wales)

TMO: Geoff Warren (England)

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