Australia A will vary its kicking options to minimise the Tongan backline moves during the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup clash at Churchill Park, Lautoka today.
With the match kicking off at midday, Australia A coach Jason Gilmore expects his players to maintain their fitness in the humid conditions. Gilmore said they needed to make sure that with their fitness, they would win possession and work very hard.
“It will be pretty hot out there, so we will need to back our movement around the ground,” he said. “Hopefully, we can challenge Tonga similar to Fiji last week.
“We just have to kick well and give Tonga the ball in different parts of the field because they have a good backline.
“The main part will be to work hard in that middle part of the day.”
Australia A fullback Reece Hodge has been recalled in the Wallabies squad and has been named in the starting XV in the deciding third Test against England this evening. Gilmore said it was good to see players from the Australia A squad getting a call for national duties for Australia.
“Mark Nawaqanitawase got called in the Wallabies squad last week. There are a couple of our boys from this tournament who have already been called in. There are a lot of Test matches left at the end of the year, so few of these boys should get called in as well.”
Australia A: 1 Matt Gibbon, 2 Billy Pollard, 3 Tom Robertson, 4 Hugh Sinclair, 5 Ryan Smith, 6 Serupepeli Uru, 7 F. McReight, 8 Langi Gleeson, 9 Ryan Lonergan (C), 10 Ben Donaldson, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 13 Hudson Creighton, 14 Dylan Pietsch, 15 Jock Campbell. Reserves: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Will Harris, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Hamish Stewart. Ikale Tahi
Tonga: 1 David Lolohea, 2 Samiuela Moli, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Salesi Halavela Fifita (C), 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Semisi Paea, 7 Solomone Funaki, 8 Lotu Inisi, 9 Manu Paea, 10 William Havili, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 12 Fetuli Paea, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 14 Tima Fainga’anuku, 15 Otumaka Mausi. Reserves: 16 Jay Fonokalafi, 17 Fe’ao Fotuaika, 18 Sosefo Apikotoa, 19 Sione Havili Talitui, 20 Veikoso Poloniati, 21 Aisea Halo, 22 James Faiva, 23 Koloti Telusa Veainu. p
