Though the Tongans aren’t quite on the level of New Zealand, the French will be fired up for this one as they look to avenge their infamous World Cup flop.
FRANCE vs TONGA
Saturday, November 16, 17:00 GMT, Le Havre
France were disregarded by most pundits ahead of last week’s test against the All Blacks, but true to reform they defied the critics and responded with a very creditable performance. The trick now will be to stay near that level, which should virtually guarantee a victory against an underprepared Tongan side.
Philippe Saint-Andre has freshened up the team a little, making five changes to the starting lineup and bringing four new players into the reserves. Dimitri Szarzewski trades jerseys with Benjamin Kayser at hooker, Sebastien Vaha’amahina comes in at lock for Pascal Pape, and fit-again Fulgence Ouedraogo replaces Wenceslas Lauret on the flank. Bernard Le Roux is a new back row replacement on the bench.
Gael Fickou makes his much anticipated run-on debut outside Wesley Fofana, and Perpignan’s try-scoring winger Sofiane Guitoune wins his first cap. Also sure to make an entrance is reserve scrumhalf Jonathan Pelissie, one of the form players in France at the moment. Freddie Michalak covers flyhalf in the absence of suspended Camille Lopez, and Mathieu Bastareaud awaits his chance alongside the reserves.
Tonga have made three changes to the team that threw away victory in Bucharest. With Viliami Fihaki electing to join his new club Sale immediately, Lyon lineout tower Joe Tu’ineau is recalled to the squad and replaces unlucky Uili Kolo’ofai at lock. Bayonne’s gigantic eightman Opeti Fonua comes in for Vili Ma’afu, and key scrumhalf Taniela Moa replaces Tomasi Palu.
Northland flyhalf Latiume Fosita hopes to get earn his first cap from the bench, and veteran Hale T-Pole covers both lock and the back row. Eddie Aholelei has been dropped for his ill discipline against Romania, with Taione Vea from London Wasps instead chosen as a prop reserve.
When last they met the French produced an abysmal showing in Wellington, losing 19-14 in what was Tonga’s finest hour in the professional era. There will be no such complacency this time, we can be sure of that. This is a strong Tongan side, the strongest they have fielded outside of World Cup competition, and one that could cause problems with their immense physicality and two dynamic hard-running centres in Sione Piukala and Siale Piutau.
That said France will have done their homework and noticed a potential weakness at the scrum and maul. Les Bleus should play fairly conservatively to keep control of the match early, but will open it up once the big Tongan pack begins to tire. The Ikali Tahi make a game of it, but the home side come out victorious by at least 15 points.
Referee: Glen Jackson (NZRU)
Assistants: Wayne Barnes (RFU) & Juan Sylvestre (UAR)
TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)
