Canadian test awaits Taione

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs star Elvis Taione has again been named in Tonga's starting XV for their Pacific Nations Cup encounter with Canada at the Swangard Stadium in Vancouver.

The all-action hooker, who featured in last weekend's 30-22 PNC defeat to Fiji in Suva, is included in a pack which shows just one change.

That comes in the front-row where Tevita Mailau is preferred at loosehead to Alisona Taumalolo. Behind, the Ikale Tahi have changed both half-backs with starts for Sonatane Takulua and Kurt Moarath, whilst Viliami Tahitua comes into the centre.

Former Chiefs winger Fetu'u Vainikolo, a try-scorer against Fiji, keeps his place on the left wing.

Included in the Canadian side are Cornish Pirates trio Matt Evans, Brett Beukeboom and Aaron Carpenter.

Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Connor Braid, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Liam Underwood, 9 Gordon McRorie, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 John Moonlight, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 Jon Phelan, 4 Brett Beukeboom, 3 Andrew Tiedemann, 2 Aaron Carpenter, 1 Hubert Buydens.

Replacements: 16 Benoit Piffero, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Doug Wooldridge, 19 Callum Morrison, 20 Kyle Gilmour, 21 Phil Mack, 22 Nathan Hirayama, 23 Phil Mackenzie.

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Sione Piukala, 12 Viliami Tahitua, 11 Fetu‘u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Moarath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma‘afu, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Hale T Pole, 5 Joe Tuineau, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Tevita Mailau

Replacements: 16 Sosefo Sakalia, 17 Alisona Taumalolo, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Uili Kolo‘ofa‘i, 20 Viliami Fihaki, 21 Sosefo Ma‘ake, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 Otulea Katoa.

Date: Friday, July 24
Venue: Swangard Stadium, Vancouver
Kick-off: 19:00 local, 02:00 GMT 1d, 03:00 BST 1d
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)