Rugby World Cup

Tonga coach Toutai Kefu named Siate Tokolahi and Patrick Pellegrini as replacements. Tokolahi will be one of six props in the Tongan squad. Pellegrini will back up first-choice No. 10 William Havili, whose older brother David is in the New Zealand squad.

Neither Fotuaika nor Mausia played in Tonga's 59-16 loss to Ireland on the weekend.

Tonga faces Scotland next in Nice and also will play defending champion South Africa and Romania in Pool B.

It was Italy's second consecutive bonus-point win and takes them top of Pool A.

Uruguay deservedly led 17-7 at the break and were dreaming of a huge upset after a remarkable opening 40 minutes that began well for Italy, who scored an early try through Lorenzo Pani, but then went badly wrong as poor discipline handed the advantage to the South Americans.

Already a Sevens superpower as champions of the first two Olympic tournaments, the Fijians have played seven tests this season and won five of them with the vanquished including former world champions England, Japan and now Australia. The victory over Australia was their first in 69 years but not a huge surprise to those who have frequently watched the disciplined and well-structured Flying Fijians play this season.

Fiji’s brilliance at the turnover, combined with the clinical boot of Kuruvoli, saw them pick up their first win of the tournament after last week’s defeat by Wales.

Australian full-back Ben Donaldson was opportunistic early on and punished a Fiji high tackle when he converted the first opportunity of the game to give Australia a 3-0 lead after three minutes.

The Pacific Islanders sought a response through scrum-half Kuruvoli, who tied the score before converting another penalty to give his side a 6-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Fiji are expected to enter the Saint-Etienne match on Sunday (Monday AEST) breathing fire after they fell short against Wales in their opening pool game.

The Fijians rallied from a 32-14 deficit, scoring twice in the last seven minutes before former NRL star Semi Radradra knocked on close to the line in the dying seconds, condemning his team to a 32-26 loss.

World Rugby's 2021 eligibility rule change means the squad features World Cup winner Malakai Fekitoa and other former All Blacks Charles Piutau, Vaea Fifita, George Moala and Augustine Pulu, as well as former Wallabies lock Adam Coleman.

They finally get their chance to test themselves against the best in the world when they take on top ranked Ireland in a Pool B clash in Nantes this weekend, when they hope to show some genuine class of their own.

Coles reacted with incredulity three weeks ago when told Hansen had been advising New Zealand's fierce rivals at the behest of his friend Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

"Shag (Hansen), what are you up to?," a stunned Coles told reporters.

"That hurts a little bit, to be fair. I'm just gobsmacked. I know he's quite tight with Eddie, they're really good mates, but he's a bit of an icon in the All Blacks set-up."

Following the Flying Fijians’ 32-26 loss to Wales in their opening Rugby World Cup loss, people have taken to social media to raise their concerns over referee Mathew Carley’s inconsistent decisions.

Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui also stated in the post-match press conference yesterday that he wants consistency from match officials.
Valenitabua says they will follow a due process.

Malakai Fekitoa doesn't mind.

The New Zealand World Cup winner who jumped on the eligibility law changes to play for Tonga, his country of birth, said their late start has enlightened them on how teams have handled the opening weekend.

"(Waiting has been) good for us as we can see what's going on and have a feel how the competition is going before we get into our work,” he said.

And his impression? “Mixed performances, maybe nerves. A lot of teams did not want to lose so we've not seen them taking risks. The next round will be different.”

The major sponsoring company for the Flying Fijians hosted its workers for a breakfast gathering and rugby watch party.

FIJI Water’s Associate Vice President, Michael Lynch said “FIJI Water paused production at its bottling plant in Yaqara for a few hours so that all employees could gather to enjoy breakfast and watch the exhilarating match between Fiji and Wales.”

“FIJI Water hosted the Rugby World Cup Watch Party with a dedicated FIJI WaterFan Zone, which was set up at the loading docks.”