151kg tighthead captains Tonga in World Cup opener against Ireland
Tonga players sign the national anthem ahead of the clash with Japan.
Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu has announced his matchday 23 to face Ireland in their first game of Rugby World Cup 2023.
The ʻIkale Tahi were not in action during the tournament’s opening weekend but begin their Pool B account against Ireland, who thrashed Romania 82-8 in their first game.
Ben Tameifuna captains Tonga
Tighthead prop Ben Tameifuna will captain the side from the front-row. The Bordeaux-Begles prop is the heaviest player at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, weighing in at a staggering 151kgs.
He is joined by loosehead Siegfried Fisi’ihoi and hooker Paula Ngauamo to form a huge front-row with a total weight of 387kgs.
Sam Lousi and Halaleva Fifita partner up in the second-row to complete an imposing front five.
Lousi’s Scarlets teammate Vaea Fifita packs down at number eight with Tanginoa Halaifonua and Sione Talitui on the flanks.
Two-time All Blacks scrum-half Augustine Pulu has been preferred in the starting role ahead of regular captain Sonatane Takulua.
Pulu renews his half-back partnership with William Havili from the 2022 tour to Romania.
Former New Zealand sevens player Pita Ahki and ex-All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa link up in the centres, with Solomone Kata and Afusipa Taumoepeau named on the wings.
Fekitoa is bidding to become only the second player after Frank Bunce (Samoa/New Zealand) to score for two different countries at a Rugby World Cup. He scored tries against Namibia and Georgia during New Zealand’s run to back-to-back World Cup titles.
Another former All Black, Charles Piutau, completes the team at full-back.
Kefu has opted for a six-two split in favour of the forwards on the bench.
Takulua and Fine Inisi provide backline cover, while Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Semisi Paea, Solomone Funaki and Sione Vailanu are the forward replacements.
Tonga team v Ireland
Tonga: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Solomone Kata, 10 William Havili, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Sione Talitui, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 Halaleva Fifita, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Ben Tameifuna (c), 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
Replacements: 16 Sam Moli, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Sosefo Apikotoa, 19 Semisi Paea, 20 Solomone Funaki, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Sonatane Takulua, 23 Fine Inisi
Date: Saturday, September 16
Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
READ MORE: Rugby World Cup team tracker: All the line-ups for the next blockbuster weekend of action