LILLE, France — Former All Black center George Moala will make his Rugby World Cup debut for Tonga against Romania on Sunday less than a month from his 33rd birthday.
Moala has completed a five-match suspension from August to be available for Tonga’s last pool match. He’s replaced another former New Zealand back Malakai Fekitoa.
“We’ve had (Moala) in the squad from the start,” Tonga coach Toutai Kefu said. “He definitely deserves to play. He is raring to go.
“Malakai has been enormous for us. I thought his last game (against South Africa) was his best game. Those players who miss out understood those players (coming in) should get Rugby World Cup experience as well.
“We wanted to give all players a run. Even if this game was crucial for us to go through the pool stages, we still would have done the same. Now that we have no chance of the quarterfinals, if we could do it without compromising our ability to win the game, why not?”
The Rugby World Cup ends for both teams after the match, considered the best chance by both for their first win in France in Pool B. “We should win this game,” Kefu said.
Moala was denied more than four tests for New Zealand in 2015-16 by the partnership of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, then injuries.
Former Wallabies lock Adam Coleman makes his first start in the tournament after two bench appearances in the only change to the tight five after losing to South Africa 49-18 last Sunday.
Other changes include returns for No. 8 Sione Vailanu and new wings Solomone Kata and Afusipa Taumoepeau.
Sonatane Takulua, who became the first Tonga player to reach 50 caps in July, starts for the first time in the tournament and regains the captaincy.
Hooker Ovidiu Cojocaru will captain Romania for the first time in his 34th test after regular skipper and No. 8 Cristi Chirica was concussed last Saturday against Scotland.
That 84-0 defeat cost three more tournament-ending injuries to the Oaks, who have already replaced four players in France. Flanker Dragos Ser suffered bruised ribs and center Jason Tomane tore a bicep muscle.
Romania made nine changes after the Scotland game. The forwards resemble more the pack that lost to South Africa 76-0. The backline is closer to the Scotland game. Tevita Manumua is at outside center and one of four Tongan-born players in the Oaks.
Scrumhalf Florin Surugiu, who played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, makes his first start in this tournament. The 38-year-old Surugiu will play his 105th and last test. He and back-rower Andre Gorin, who has been playing for Romania since 2009, are retiring after this match.
In the reserves, 20-year-old center Mihai Graure could make his Oaks debut after arriving as an injury replacement last week.
Romania, depleted by injuries before arriving in France and hammered in the warmups, has been smashed in the toughest pool. The Oaks lost their opener to Ireland 82-8.
“Mentally, it is not easy,” forwards coach Mihăiță Lazăr said. “We all know what the results of the three matches were, anyone who was here would have suffered mentally after such defeats. We are trying to recover. This is our chance to show that we know how to play rugby and that being here at the World Cup has been a pleasure for all of the players and coaches.”
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Lineups:
Tonga: Charles Piutau, Solomone Kata, George Moala, Pita Ahki, Afusipa Taumoepeau, William Havili, Sonatane Takulua (captain); Sione Vailanu, Sione Talitui, Semisi Paea, Adam Coleman, Halaleva Fifita, Ben Tameifuna, Paula Ngauamo, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi. Reserves: Sione Anga’aelangi, Paula Latu, Siate Tokolahi, Sitiveni Mafi, Penitoa Finau, Manusiu Paea, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau.
Romania: Marius Simionescu, Nicholas Onutu, Tevita Manumua, Fonovai Tangimana, Taliauli Sikuea, Alin Conache, Florin Surugiu; Andre Gorin, Cristi Boboc, Vlad Neculau, Marius Iftimiciuc, Adrian Motoc, Alexandru Gordas, Ovidiu Cojocaru (captain), Alexandru Savin. Reserves: Robert Irimescu, Iulian Hartig, Costel Burtila, Florian Rosu, Damian Stratila, Gabriel Rupanu, Alexandru Bucur, Mihai Graure.
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