Mate Ma’a Tonga will be strengthened for their historic first Rugby League World Cup semi-final appearance with the return of forwards Sio Siau Taukeiaho and Peni Terepo for the clash with England at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
Both missed the two-point quarter-final victory over Lebanon last Saturday and will return fit and fresh with Roosters’ big gun Taukeiaho starting and aggressive Eel Terepo returning to the bench.
England have gone with the same 17 that were successful against Papua New Guinea in Melbourne but made two changes on their reserves list. Jonny Lomax and Scott Taylor replace Stefan Ratchford and George Williams in the four listed reserves.
In the other semi-final, to be played in Brisbane on Friday between Australia and Fiji, there have been no changes to the top 17 in either side.
The Australians have chosen the same line-up that disposed of Samoa 46-0 in the quarter-final in Darwin but have made two changes to their reserves list with Tom Trbojevic and Josh Mansour replacing Cameron Munster and Ben Hunt.
The Fijians, taking on the Kangaroos for a third time in World Cup semi-finals, have again selected their top outfit with no changes throughout their 21-man squad after success in Auckland against the Kiwis.