There will be no battle of the Bristol Bears' Pacific Island superstars on Saturday as Charles Piutau has been left out of Tonga's squad to face Samoa.
Bears star lock Chris Vui starts in the second row for Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup clash, but Tonga head coach Kini Fotu has reacted to a 36-0 loss to Fiji last weekend by leaving out his trio of former Tier One nation stars, former controversial Wallaby Isreal Folau, who injured his hamstring last time out, and former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa and Piutau.
While Tonga's new dawn rather false-started against Fiji, the contest was closer than the scoreline suggested with the Ikale Tahi having a couple of tries disallowed by the TMO for forward passes and knock-ons.
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Much like former Samoan international turned Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam is akin to doing in the club game, Tonga managed to repeatedly get Piutau into the game against Fiji with the full-back topping the stats charts in Round One of the Pacific Nations Cup for the entire competition for most metres made, 155m, most carries, 13, and defenders beaten, going beyond 10 players with his explosive step.
There is no suggestion that Munster bound Fekitoa and Piutau are suffering injuries as Fotu said post-match last weekend: "We're gonna rotate the squad."
With one eye on the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which Tonga are still favourites to claim one of the last qualification places, Fotu said: "Our mindset around this whole tournament is just to build combinations, connections."
However Piutau's lack of involvement this weekend will come as welcome news to Lam with the 17-cap former All Black a constant injury concern due to his troublesome Achilles.
After star centre Semi Radradra injured his knee playing for Fiji last summer in the sevens competition at the Tokyo Olympics which saw him have to undergo surgery, Lam reiterated Bristol have put systems in place to ensure Piutau is kept healthy on his return to international rugby after World Rugby changed its eligibility criteria to allow players to play for a second country if they have not played for another nation for three years and qualify through birthright.
Speaking to Bristol Live last month about Piutau playing for Tonga, Lam said: "It is excellent for Charles. Every player wants to play for their country. I think that rule change has been particularly massive for a lot of Tier Two countries, but certainly Tonga and Samoa - Fiji just have a conveyor belt of players coming through - but especially ahead of the World Cup I think it is a great call because the contributions the Pacific Island nations make to world rugby is huge. You look at all the Tier One nation teams and there are Pacific Islanders in them through one way or another and for the countries to have those guys come back is superb.
Discussing the increased injury risk to one of the Bears' marquee players, Lam said: "We have got good systems put in place but it is the same with any player in any team, we have had players go to England with all their systems and resources and they have still got injured. That is just the nature of the game.
"There is a risk as soon as anyone steps out on the field, but every player has their individual plan,
"Of course it is a risk, every time Harry and Kyle went into the England camp it was a risk and Harry ended up missing a lot of rugby getting injured. That is the nature of rugby."
Lam added: "You can’t put guys in cotton wool, this is their passion, this is what they get paid for, to do what they love to do and I will never be a coach who stops players going after their international ambitions."
Tonga play Samoa at 1am UK time and can be watched live on the World Rugby website.
Tonga: 15. William Havili; 14. Tima Fainga’anuku, 13. Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12. Fetuli Paea, 11. Anzelo Tu’itavuki; 10. James Faiva, 9. Sonatane Takula; 1. Siegfried Fishi’ihoi, 2. Siua Maile, 3. Ben Tameifuna, 4. Veikoso Poloniati, 5. Sam Lousi, 6. Tanginoa Halaifonua, 7. Sione Havili, 8. Sione Tu’ipulotu.
Replacements: 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Fe’ao Fotuaika, 18. Siate Tokolahi, 19. Semisi Paea, 20. Solomone Funaki, 21. Lotu Inisi, 22, Manu Paea, 23. Otumaka Mausia
Samoa: 15 Danny Toala, 14 Ed Fidow, 13 Neria Fomai, 12 Tumua Manu, 11 Nigel Ah Wong, 10 AJ Alatimu, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Chris Vui, 4 Sam Slade, 3 Michael Alaalatoa (c), 2 Ray Niuia, 1 Andrew Tuala
Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Michael Curry, 20 Fritz Lee, 21 Auvasa Faleali’i, 22 D’Angelo Leuila, 23 Lolagi Visinia
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