Mate Ma’a Tonga faces Lebanon [1]
Thursday, November 16, 2017 - 18:41
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