Tuesday 15 August 2023
K/o 2.00pm NZT (3.00pm local time)
Nuku'alofa

Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Way (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Tevita Rokovereni (FRU)

:television: Sky Sport 1

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER vs TONGA

1. Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks
3. Conor Young (Yamba, Australia) – Greater Sydney Rams / New England Free Jacks
4. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Spotswood United RFC
5. Conor Keys (Stittsville, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Ottawa Ospreys / New England Free Jacks
6. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto Arrows
7. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, Wales) – Rhiwbina RFC / Pontypridd RFC
8. Siaki Vikilani (Vancouver, BC) – Burnaby Lake RFC / The American Raptors
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, Ireland) – San Diego Legion
10. Robbie Povey (Northampton, UK) – Long Bukby RFC / Houston SaberCats
11. Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) – New England Free Jacks
12. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, New Zealand) – New England Free Jacks
13. Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek, ON) – McMaster University / Toronto Arrows
14. Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Queen’s University / Houston SaberCats
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) – Dungannon RFC / Toronto Arrows

FINISHERS

16. Foster Dewitt (Courtney, BC) – Westshore RFC / New England Free Jacks
17. Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / San Diego Legion
18. Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers / New England Free Jacks
19. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Oxford University
20. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Pacific Pride / Toronto Arrows
21. Travis Larsen (Parksville, BC) – James Bay AA / Meralomas / Toronto Arrows
22. Ross Braude (Pretoria, South Africa) – Toronto Arrows
23. Gabe Casey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria

Tonga really dishing out the test debuts here. Chris Halaʻufia is 44 years old.
I can't find Vutulongo Puloka's name anywhere online; interestingly, one of the sponsors of the 'ikale Tahi is called Puloka Construction Limited. Coincidence?
And that's just two examples.

@Stargazer said in Tonga v Canada (2):

Tonga really dishing out the test debuts here. Chris Halaʻufia is 44 years old.
I can't find Vutulongo Puloka's name anywhere online; interestingly, one of the sponsors of the 'ikale Tahi is called Puloka Construction Limited. Coincidence?
And that's just two examples.

Not to mention hooker Samiuela Moli starting on the blindside flank...

@Stargazer I don't think that's the same Chris Hala'ufia.

@African-Monkey You may be right. I couldn't find another one haha. Many unknown players in that squad.

Edit: I hope the commentators will tell us a bit more about these players.

Chris Hala'ufia is Chris Hala'ufia's son.

@Stargazer 18. Paula Latu - probably the guy that played for MAC a few years back before getting signed for Southland. Don't think he made the Moana Pasifika team so that is a bit of a surprise.

@Stargazer Will the link for the live stream you provided for the last game work in NZ today given Sky seem to be televising live this afternoon?

@Higgins I just checked that Facebook page and it looks like they will indeed stream the game. I'll post the link once it's available.

@Stargazer Thank you, hopefully it won't be geoblocked here in NZ

@Higgins Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but they may not geo-block the stream because the commentary will be in Tongan?

@Stargazer But the pictures won't, they obviously are the same no matter what the commentary language is!

@Higgins They're either not streaming the game, having technical difficulties or it's geoblocked. I'll keep an eye on it.

It's live on SS1. Currently 7-0 to Tonga.

@Bovidae I know, but I understand @Higgins isn't near a Sky connection.

Thanks for your help guys. It's not a major as I can watch it, hopefully the full game, on youtube later. If not then the highlights are sure to be posted and in all honesty judging by the first game last Thursday the game in it's entirety was not really worth watching anyway if the standard of play mirros that effort..

@Higgins It's already 26 - 0 to Tonga (after 32 minutes).

Half time: Tonga 26 - 0 Canada

Tonga's first half point scorers:
Tries: Sosefo Sakalia 2x, Kyren Taumoefolau, Vaea Fifita; conversion: Sonatane Takulua 2x

@Stargazer That's excellent to hear and presumably a vast improvement of their last effort even accounting for all the new guys they have starting today. Maybe Canada are also giving a lot of non regular starters a run today as well.

FT: Tonga 36 - 12 Canada

Tonga's second half points scorers:

Kyren Taumoefolau, Sam Moli tries.

Tonga imploded in the last 15 minutes or so, with all their local rookies on the field. Canada's left winger Isaac Olson scored Canada's only tries of their tour in the 65th and 78th minute.