Fiji change seven for Tonga

Wayne Pivac, Fiji's national coach, has made seven changes to the team smashed 36-10 by Samoa last Saturday for this week's Pacific Tri-Nations clash with Tonga in Nuku'alofa.

In the first round Fiji battled to beat Tonga 19-11 in Suva and could find the going tough in the away leg.

19-year-old Jone Qovu is a surprise choice at No.8, replacing experienced Sisa Koyamaibole.

Pivac explained his selection to Teivovo on the grounds of preparing for the 2007 World Cup, saying: If we lose a few battles to win the war then so be it, but we've got to start bringing in players into these key positions as we look to 2007. Sisa has had 20-odd test matches in a row, so I think its a good time to bring in Qovu."

Other changes include flyhalf Jack Prasad, who is back from injury, and Jo Tora at fullback for Norman Ligairi.
 
Pivac said: Normans more or less had a mortgage on the fullbacks berth. So once again with the emphasis on rotation and development we've brought in Jo Tora.
 
"The same goes for Jack. He was our incumbent flyhalf last season and we were always going to bring him in to the team in one of these two games on tour."
 
Also in the starting line-up are lock Akuila Matanibukaca, openside flank Aca Ratuva, Maikeli Nadridri on the left wing and scrumhalf Mosese Rauluni, who reclaims the position and the captaincy from elder brother Jacob.

The Fiji team: 15 Jo Tora, 14 Mosese Luveitasau, 13 Epeli Ruivadra, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Maikeli Nadridri, 10 Jack Prasad, 9 Moses Rauluni (capt), 8 Jone Qovu, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Akapusi Qera, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Akuila Matanibukaca, 3 Bill Cavubati, 2 Bill Gadolo, 1 Josese Bale.
Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto, 17 Ravuama Samo, 18 Langi Peters, 19 Apolosi Satala, 20 Jacob Rauluni, 21 Nicky Little, 22 Norman Ligairi.

Coaches: Wayne Pivac, Paul Feeney
Manager: Simon Poll

 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Touch judges: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand), Brett Bowden  (Australia)
Assessor: Tom Aplin (Ireland)