Afeaki out of Wales clash

Tonga will be wiothout their inspirational captain Inoke Afeaki when
they square off against Wales on Sunday at the Bruce Stadium in Canberra. Afeaki was ruled out of the clash after picking up an injury against Italy on Wednesday, despite being cleared on Thursday. 

Afeaki out as Love tinkers with pack

Tonga will be without the help of their inspirational skipper Inoke
Afeaki when they line up against Wales in their Rugby World Cup Pool D game at the Bruce Stadium in Canberra on Sunday after he failed to recover from an injury picked up against Italy on Wednesday.

Afeaki was originally cleared of concussion on Thursday by team
management after the big flanker was knocked out cold during the Italy clash, but he has since been ruled out of contention. No.8 Benhur Kivalu will take over the captaincy in his stead.

Coach Jim Love has made six changes to the side that ran out against Italy after what was a disappointing performance by the Islanders and on Sunday Tonga will be fielding a largely different pack of forwards.

Prop Kisi Pulu and hooker Viliami Maasi move into the starting XV, while
Usaia Latu earns a place in the second row. Flanker Ipolito Fenukatau,
who left the field with a shoulder injury after being sinbinned during
the game against Italy, moves from the openside to the blindside,
Stanley Afeaki starts on the other flank.

Only one change has been made to the backline with centre Gus Leger making way for Sukanaivalu Hufanga in the No.13 jersey.

Tonga: 15 Pierre Hola, 14 Sione Fonua, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 John Payne, 11 Tevita Tuifua, 10 Sateka Tuiipulotu, 9 Sililo Martens, 8 Benhur Kivalu (captain), 7 Stanley Afeaki, 6 Ipolito Fenukatau, 5
Viliami Vaki, 4 Usaia Latu, 3 Heamani Lavaka, 2 Viliami Maasi, 1 Kisi Pulu.

Replacements: 16 Ephram Taukafa, 17 Tonga Leaaetoa, 18 Milton Ngauamo, 19 Nisifolo Naufahu, 20 David Palu, 21 Gus Leger, 22 Sila Vaenuku.

Kick-off: 18.00 local (09.00 BST, 08.00 GMT), Live in UK on ITV2