Canada faces Tonga tonight in the final match for both teams in the 2019 Pacific Nations Cup. The match will take place at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji.
Kickoff is set for Friday 3 pm local time, Thursday 8 pm PT, 11 pm ET. The match will be broadcast live on tsn.ca, TSN Direct, and the TSN App. It will also be replayed on TSN2 on Friday, August 9 at It will also be replayed on TSN2 on Friday, Aug 9 at 2 pm ET/11 am PT and again at 11 pm ET/8 pm PT.
In the U.S. the match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Gold and elsewhere on World Rugby’s digital channels.
Both Canada and Tonga are seeking their first win in the 2019 Pacific Nations Cup.
Canada Head Coach Kingsley Jones has made eight changes in his starting XV.
In the forwards, there are five changes. Djustice Sears-Duru and Matt Tierney are the props with Eric Howard retained at hooker. Mike Sheppard and Evan Olmstead are the locks, with Tyler Ardron returning to captain the side from No 8. Both Kyle Baillie and Lucas Rumball return as flankers.
In the backs, Phil Mack is at scrumhalf with Gordon McRorie switching to flyhalf. Ben LeSage returns at outside center and pairs with Ciaran Hearn, who was retained. DTH van der Merwe returns on the left-wing, while Jeff Hassler and Peter Nelson retain their positions at wing and fullback, respectively.
Toutai Kefu has made seven changes to his starting squad. In the forwards, Paul Ngauamo and Siua Halanukonuka are in the front row while Sam Lousi is at lock. Steve Mafi moves to the blindside flanker and Zane Kapeli starts at No 8.
In the backs, James Faiva is at flyhalf with Mali Hingano at the center and Viliami Lolohea on the left-wing.
Canada: 1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Eric Howard, 3 Matt Tierney, 4 Mike Sheppard, 5 Evan Olmstead, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Tyler Ardron (capt.), 9 Phil Mack, 10 Gordon McRorie, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Jeff Hassler, 15 Peter Nelson 16 Benoît Pifféro, 17 Hubert Buydens, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Luke Campbell, 20 Matt Heaton, 21 Jamie Mackenzie, 22 Nick Blevins, 23 Patrick Parfrey
Tonga: 1 Paea Fa’anunu, 2 Paul Ngauamo, 3 Siua Halanukonuka, 4 Leva Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Steve Mafi, 7 Fotu Lokotui, 8 Zane Kapeli, 9 Tane Takulua, 10 James Faiva, 11 Viliami Lolohea, 12 Siale Piutau (capt.), 13 Mali Hingano, 14 Afa Pakalani, 15 Tevita Halaifonua16 Elvis Taione, 17 Latu Talakai, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Sione Vailanu, 20 Dan Faleafa, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 Cooper Vuna
