Dual national, Sitaleki Timani, will become the oldest debutant to play for one of the leading rugby nations if he takes to the field at Murrayfield on Sunday.
The lock, who won 18 caps for Australia between 2011-13, is 39 years old and 73 days at the time of writing and is primed for his first appearance for Tonga, the country of his birth, after being named on the Ikale ‘Tahi’s bench.
Three other players have been older on Test debut – Norway’s Rob Adams, who faced Estonia in May aged 49, Brett Bowie of the UAE (46) and Mark Gathercole (39 years, 217 days) – but those first caps were won at a much lower level.
One of three brothers to have experienced international rugby, Timani played for three different Super Rugby clubs in Australia before moving to France and playing nearly 150 Top 14 games for Clermont, Stade Francais, Toulon and Brive. He is currently with Carcassonne in Pro D2.
Led by 34-year-old giant, Ben Tameifuna, Tonga’s is an old-looking squad in general, with not a single player aged 25 or under.
Fellow prop, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi is 38, while Siosiua Moala, the brother of former All Black George Moala, and scrum-half Sonatane Takulua, are two others who fall into the veteran category.
Takulua will be partnered at half-back by Moana Pasifika playmaker, Pat Pellegrini. Pellegrini first shot to fame as a bolter at RWC 2023 and has scored nearly half his side’s points this year (49/99), including a hat-trick against Canada in Tonga’s last Test in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Siua Maile, Ben Tameifuna (c), Harison Mataele, Veikoso Poloniati, Semisi Paea, Siosiua Moala, Lotu Inisi, Sonatane Takulua, Patrick Pellegrini, John Tapueluelu, Solomone Kata, Fine Inisi, Taniela Filimone, William Havili.
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Fatongia Paea, Phillip Kite, Sitaleki Timani, Fotu Lokotui, Aisea Halo, Tima Fainga’anuku, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Tonga takes on Scotland at 1.40am tomorrow.
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