Tonga will be skippered by scrum-half Taniela Moa for the opening Test of their November schedule, which sees them face Italy in Brescia on Saturday.
Head coach Mana 'Otai announced his 23-man squad selection following a three-day training camp which involved a total of 33 players in France. He then whittled that number down to 15 for the Italy Test at the Stadio M. Riggamonti.
"The camp gave the coaching staff a chance to work with players that we have not had the chance to previously, as well as the new players called up into the squad," said Mana.
"We tried to concentrate on giving the players the tools, patterns and plays they will need during the tour without overloading them during the two-and-a-half days we had to work with."
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Viliami Helu, 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, 9 Taniela Moa (capt), 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Sione Vaiomo'unga, 6 Sitiveni Mafi, 5 Tukulua Lokotui, 4 Joe Tu'ineau, 3 Halani 'Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Alisona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Ma'asi, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Hale T-Pole, 19 Paula Kaho, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Alipate Fatafehi, 22 Viliame Iongi, 23 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Date: Saturday, November 10
Venue: Stadio M. Riggamonti, Brescia
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
Referee: Greg Garner (England)
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Mathieu Raynal (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Comments
Lucasrg says...
A real test for the Italian pack! It's gonna be hard!¬
Posted 19:13 07th November 2012