6 Nov 2008

Pacific Islands name a powerful side to meet England at Twickenham

8:16 am on 6 November 2008

Many of the Pacific Island players who lit up last year's rugby World Cup will be on show at Twickenham this weekend to face England.

The combined team will offer a weighty challenge to Martin Johnson's new-look side in the first of four November tests for the home team.

The centre partnership of Samoan Seilala Mapusua and Fiji's Seru Rabeni offer power and pace while wings Sailosi Tagicakibau and Vilimoni Delasau, one of the stand-out players at the World Cup, will take some stopping if they get the ball.

Tongan back rowers Nili Latu and Finau Maka, devastating in France last year, are the key operators in the pack, where the front five will get a severe test from England's weighty unit.

The Pacific team are: Kameli Ratuvou (Fiji), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), -Seru Rabeni (Fiji), Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji), Pierre Hola (Tonga), Mosese Rauluni (Fiji-captain); Finau Maka (Tonga), Nili Latu, Semisi Naevo (Fiji), Kele Leawere (Fiji), Filipo Levi (Samoa), Census Johnston (Samoa), Aleki Lutui (Tonga), Justin Va'a (Samoa).

Replacements: Sunia Koto (Fiji), Kisi Pulu (Tonga), Hale T-Pole (Tonga), George Stowers (Samoa), Sililo Martens (Tonga), Seremaia Bai (Fiji), Epi Taione (Tonga).