Pita Ahki to make Tonga debut as blockbuster side named to face Australia ‘A’

Adam Kyriacou
Toulouse centre Pita Ahki.

Toulouse centre Pita Ahki.

Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu has announced a fully-loaded side for their clash with Australia ‘A’ at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa on Friday.

There are two debutants in the squad as Toulouse centre Pita Ahki starts in the midfield while Moana Pasifika’s Kyren Taumoefolau is on the bench.

Ahki will line up alongside Malakai Fekitoa in an exciting combination, with William Havili at 10 and Sonatane Takulua skippering at scrum-half.

Ahki makes his Test debut on the back of winning the Top 14 title with Toulouse, who beat La Rochelle 29-26 in a thrilling final in Paris last month.

Israel Folau on the wing

The rest of Tonga‘s backline is equally impressive as Charles Piutau is named at full-back while Israel Folau and Fine Inisi are their starting wings.

Up front the props are Siegfried Fisi’ihoi and Ben Tameifuna, who will pack down either side of hooker Sam Moli in a strong front-row.

Sam Lousi and Leva Fifita make up an exciting second-row combination, with Steve Mafi providing plenty of experience as an option off the bench.

The back-row is Tanginoa Halaifonua at blindside, Solomone Funaki on the openside and the outstanding Vaea Fifita gets the nod at number eight.

Fifita has been in sparkling form for the Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship this past season and is a player that Australia ‘A’ need to be wary of.

Kefu’s forward options off the bench will be hooker Siua Maile, props Tau Koloamatangi and David Lolohe, lock Mafi and back-rower Sione Vailanu.

The backline replacements include scrum-half Manu Paea, fly-half Otumaka Mausia and the aforementioned Taumoefolau, who is set for a first cap.

Strong Tonga team

Tonga: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Fine Inisi, 10 William Havili, 9 Sonatane Takulua (c), 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Solomone Funaki, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 Leva Fifita, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Sam Moli, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
Replacements: 16 Siua Maile, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 David Lolohea, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Sione Vailanu, 21 Manu Paea, 22 Otumaka Mausia, 23 Kyren Taumoefolau

Date: Friday, July 14
Venue: Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa
Kick-off: 15:00 local (03:00 BST, 02:00 GMT)
Referee: Dan Waenga (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle (New Zealand), Michael Winter (New Zealand)

READ MORE: Experienced Wallaby playmaker to captain Australia ‘A’ against Tonga

Australia Israel Folau Pita Ahki

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