The ‘Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles) will meet the American Eagles at the BMO Field, Toronto on Wednesday, 29 July 3.40pm (Toronto time) (Thursday, 30 July  8.40am).

Tonga needs to win the match to be a contender for the top three places in the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup.

The ‘Ikale Tahi team for Thursday’s game was announced today with a few changes. Steve Mafi will captain the team and he will be the No. 6 Blindside flanker. Uili Kolo’ofa’I will be the No. 4 Lock. On the Front Row Soane Tonga’uiha takes over from Tevita Mailau as Loose Head and Viliami Fihaki replaces Viliami Ma’afu at No. 8. ‘Otulea Katoa will start at Fullback ahead of Vungakoto Lilo who will be on the Bench.

The ‘Ikale Tahi

1. Soane Tonga’uiha, Loose Head
2. Elvis Taione, Hooker
3. Halani ‘Aulika, Tighthead
4. Uili Kolo’ofa’I, Lock
5. Joe Tu’ineau, Lock
6. Steve Mafi (Captain) Blindside
7. Jsck Ram, Openside
8. No. 8 Viliami Fihaki
9. Sonatane Takulua, Scrum Half
10.  Kurt Morath, Outside Half
11.  Fetu’u Vainikolo, wing
12. ‘Alipate Fatafehi, Centre
13.  Sione Piukala, Centre
14. Relusa Veainu, Wing
15.  ‘Otulea Katoa, Fullback.

Reserves

16. Sosefo Sakalia, Front Row
17. ‘Alisona Taumalolo
18. Sila Puafisi
19. Tukulua Lokotui
20. Hale T. Pole
21. Sosefo Ma’ake
22. Latiume Fosita
23. Vungakoto Lilo.

After the first two rounds of the tournament, the Manu Samoa and the Flying Fijians top the ranking with seven points each, from one win each and a draw. The Flying Fijians beat the ‘Ikale Tahi and the Manu Samoa beat Japan, then they drew in their last game.

In second place are the American Eagles and the Brave Blossoms with five points each from one win and a loss each. The Brave Blossoms beat Canada then lost to the American Eagles. The American Eagles lost to the Manu Samoa, then they beat the Brave Blossoms.

In third place is the ‘Ikale Tahi with four points, from one win and a loss. The ‘Ikale Tahi lost to the Flying Fijians, then beat the Canadians.

On the bottom rank is Canada with zero points. It has not won a game from two outings.

The ‘Ikale Tahi victory over Canada, has moved the ‘Ikale Tahi up one rank  from 13 to 12 in the World Rugby Rankings.

Pacific Nations Cup contenders rankings:

Manu Samoa No. 9, Flying Fijians No. 10, ‘Ikale Tahi No. 12, Japan No. 13, American Eagles No. 16 and Canada No. 18.

The three top countries in the World Rugby Rankings are:

1. New Zealand
2. South Africa
3. Ireland.