Mate Ma’a Tonga and Lebanon have announced their teams for this weekend’s clash in the quarterfinal of the Rugby League World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tonga sees one change from last week’s game against the Kiwis in the form of Michael Jennings who replaces Mahe Fonua.

Lebanon possesses five NRL players including notables Robbie Farah (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tim Mannah (Parramatta Eels) and Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels).

Mate Ma’a Tonga are highly favoured to get a convincing victory over Lebanon who finished third in their world cup pool with respectful defeats to rugby league giants England (29 – 10) and Australia (34 – 0). Lebanon’s only win came against France (28 – 20).

Lebanese star player Mitchell Moses told local reporters in Christchurch this week that Lebanon has nothing to lose against Tonga.

Mitchell Moses said "I always knew they (Tonga) were going to go far in the competition,"

"All the pressures on them…We will just look to go out there and play some footy and try and shock them." 

Mitchell Moses acknowledged Tonga’s quality but stated that his team had a chance to win if they succeeded in neutralizing Tonga’s forward pack.

"Their starting forward pack Taukeiaho, Fifita and Taumalolo are a massive part of their team. If we can minimise the metres they make, we will definitely be in the game”, he said.

"We are all going to have to have the best games we've ever played."

The official kick-off time for the game is 5pm, Saturday 18 November in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Mate Ma’a Tonga Team

1.    William Hopoate

2.    Daniel Tupou

3.    Michael Jennings

4.    Konrad Hurrell

5.    David Fusitu’a

6.    Tuimoala Lolohea

7.    Mafoa'aeata Hingano

8.    Andrew Fifita

9.    Sione Katoa

10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho

11. Manu Ma'u

12. Sika Manu (Captain)

13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Siliva Havili

15. Sam Moa

16. Tevita Pangai Jnr

17. Ben Murdoch-Masila

18. Ukuma Ta’ai

19. Joe Ofahengaue

20. Mahe Fonua

21. Samisoni Langi

Lebanon Cedars

1.    Anthony Layoun

2.    Travis Robinson

3.    James Elias

4.    Adam Doueihi

5.    Abbas Miski

6.    Mitchell Moses

7.    Robbie Farah (Captain)

8.    Tim Mannah

9.    Michael Lichaa

10. Alex Twal

11. Nick Kassis

12. Chris Saab

13. Ahmad Ellaz

14. Jamie Clark

15. Mitchell Mamary

16. Raymond Moujalli

17. Elias Sukkar

18. Jason Wehbe

19. Andrew Kazzi

20. Chris Saab

21. Bilal Maarbani