Tonga reshapes team for World Cup clash with England
Coach Kristian Woolf moves hooker Soni Luke to the bench and brings back forward Salesi Foketi to start.
Coach Kristian Woolf has elected to drop hooker Soni Luke to the bench, with back rower Salesi Foketi named to start. The move gives Tonga an extra forward in the pack against England in Perth.
There is every chance No. 6 Latu Fainu goes into dummy half while halfback Isaiya Katoa plays both sides of the ruck, effectively giving Tonga an extra forward to start the game. It is an aggressive tactical shift for Woolf's side at the World Cup.
The move catches observers off guard just hours before kickoff.
- Kristian Woolf
- Coach
- Soni Luke
- Player dropped to bench
- Salesi Foketi
- Player named to start
- Perth
- Match location
Why it mattersLast-minute team changes at major tournaments can shift momentum and catch opponents unprepared on game day.
AustraliaThe match is played in Perth and matters to Australian rugby league fans watching a World Cup blockbuster.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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