TOKYO: Record-breaking fly-half Kurt Morath will shoulder Tonga’s hopes against England after coach Toutai Kefu announced a team stacked with English-based players for their Rugby World Cup
opener.
Doncaster Knight’s Morath, Tonga’s all-time leading scorer with 340 Test points, is one of seven players attached to English sides, also including captain Siale Piutau who is at Bristol.
Morath, Piutau, Sanatane Takulua and Sione Kalamafoni are the only survivors of Tonga’s last Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand four years ago.
The Polynesian kingdom are heavy underdogs against 2003 champions England in Sapporo as they attempt to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in eight World Cup campaigns. – AFP
