Tonga has responded to their opening defeat in the Pacific Nations Cup by making five changes to their starting XV ahead of their crucial clash with Fiji on Friday.

Following a 43-17 loss to Samoa, Coach Tevita Tu’ifua has restructured his team, introducing three new faces in the forward pack and two in the backline.

Captain Ben Tameifuna will lead a revamped front row, with Jethro Felemi and Solomone Aniseko joining as starters. Flanker Tevita Ahokovi, scrumhalf Aisea Halo, and winger Samuel Tuitupou also move into the starting lineup.

Tonga faces a challenging task, needing to secure a bonus-point victory by at least 27 points while preventing Fiji from earning any points to keep their semi-final hopes alive.