Tonga is expecting a brutal and physical affair against Manu Samoa at Apia Park this Saturday as they look to bounce back following two consecutive defeats. 

The Ikale Tahi is coming on the back of two losses to Fiji and Japan and is hungry for a win and head coach Toutai Kefu has named a very strong team despite the injury scare that has hit the team.

“We try to pick our strongest team all the time, that is the mindset. We have had a lot of injuries; there are a few coming back from injury. We have lost a few but this is a pretty strong team,” said Kefu.

“It is always a tough game against the Samoans and it is definitely going to be very physical. We had a really good start against them last year but did not punch on after 20 or 30 minutes. And we missed a few opportunities.”

In their last game last weekend, Tonga went down 21-16 to Japan. It was an evenly matched game but the Japanese snuck ahead because of their ability to master cheeky set pieces.

Kefu said there was poor reading of the Japanese attack and there is time to fix those things because the bigger picture is the Rugby World Cup.

“Some key moments have let us down and hopefully we can rectify that. We always want to win and that is the aim,” he said.

The Ikale Tahi is under no illusions that Manu Samoa will field an experimental team. Kefu knows that his players will have to stand up to the test if they want to register their first win.

“This is a stepping stone to the Rugby World Cup. First of all, we want to play well and get some transfer from training into the game. We're going to be playing against our Pacific brothers and it is going to be a physical and brutal game,” he said.

Star players like Israel Folau and Augustine Pulu are still nursing injuries and the coach has opted to sit them out of the pre-World Cup matches.

Kefu has named an experienced pack for Saturday’s game with three players including captain Sonatane Takulua earning their 50^th cap.

Siegfried Fiji’ihoi, Siua Maile and Ben Tamaifuna make the front row. Halaleva Fifita and Sitiveni Mafi start at lock while Tanginoa Halafonua, Sione Talitui and Vaea Fifita make up the loose trio.

Takulua starts at halfback and William Havili is at flyhalf. Pita Ahki and George Moala combine in the midfield with Afusipa Taumoepeau and Solomone Kata on the wings. Charles Piutau is again at fullback.

Former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa will start on the bench.