Tonga name team to face Italy

Milan - Tonga head coach Mana 'Otai on Wednesday named his team to face Italy in Brescia on Saturday, according to the MatangiTonga website.

Tonga are the first of Italy's opponents in the November tests, which will see the Azzurri take on New Zealand on November 17 and Australia a week later.

Mana made his 23-man squad selection following a three-day training camp which involved a total of 33 players in Gruissan, 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, who sit 12th - one place below Italy - in the IRB world rankings, are currently in Brescia preparing for Saturday's clash.

This year's autumn series has been given an added dimension as it will decide the seedings for next month's draw for the 20125 World Cup in England.

Teams:

Italy:

TBA

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Viliami Helu, 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, 9 Taniela Moa (captain), 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

Substitutes: 16 Ilaisa Ma'asi, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Hale T-Pole, 19 Paula Kaho, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Alipate Fatafehi, 22 Viliame ‘longi, 23 Soane Tonga'uiha