Connacht’s Fetu’u Vainikolo has made the Tongan starting XV that will take on Canada in their Pool A round 2 Rugby World Cup match this Wednesday. This will be a chance for Connacht fans to sneak a peek at the talents of the 26 year old former Otago winger. Fetu’u has been absent from the Sportsground since his call up to the Tongan World Cup squad last month and is Connacht’s only representative in New Zealand. Tonga head coach Isitolo Maka has made 11 changes to the side that faced New Zealand last weekend. They play Canada at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei, on Wednesday with kick-off of 06.00am

Tonga XV to face Canada

1. Alisona Taumalolo
2. Ephraim Taukafa
3. Kisi Pulu
4. Sione Timani
5. Tukulua Lokotui
6. Finau Maka (c) 
7. Sione Vaiomounga
8. Samiu Vahafolau
9. Thomas Palu
10. Taniela Moa
11. William Helu
12. Alipate Fatafehi
13. Siale Piutau
14. Fetu'u Vainikolo
15. Kurt Morath

Replacements:

16. Aloisio Ma'asi
17. Soane Tonga'uiha
18. Halani Aulika
19. Viliami Ma'afu
20. Sione Kalamafoni
21. Viliame Iongi
22. Alaska Taufa

Picture: Tonga faced New Zealand in their opening Rugby World Cup match last weekend (C) www.inpho.ie

The newly refurbished Sportsground hosted Connacht’s 1^st home game of this season on Saturday and over 3000 supporters turned up to witness the new chapter in Connacht Rugby’s history.

Connacht kicked off into the swirling wind and though they retained the majority of possession the Scarlets were the first on the score board when after 8 minuet Dan Newton kicked a penalty from 20m out. Another heroic display of defence saw Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift and Mark McCrea stand firm in the Connacht line and their efforts were rewarded with a 13^th minute penalty opportunity 2m inside their own half. Matthew Jarvis pushed the kick wide and Connacht were forced back into defence once again. A slick backline move from inside the Connacht half saw centre Eoin Griffin link with Henry Fa’afili who offloaded to winger Mark McCrea who was brought down just before the Scarlets line. 10 minutes later Fa’afili was brought down yards from the line after the Connacht forwards had put in a lot of hard graft with a succession of quick rucks. Connacht looked dangerous everytime they touched the ball and, with 3 minutes to go before the halftime break Matthew Jarvis brought Connacht to within 3 with a 30m penalty. 2 penalties in a row saw Connacht march back into the Scarlets half but Jarvis wasn’t able to capitalise and drew his kick just left of the posts to leave the half time score Connacht 3 Scarlets 6

The secon half started with the visitors making the early headway. they were awarded a penalty three minutes in and Newton kicked for the corner. Connacht stole the lineout but a turnover and quick hand sent second row Aaron Shinger over in the corner. The ref went upstairs but the TMO gave the decision without too much deliberation. Newton missed the conversion. The try seemed to wake Connacht up and a huge maul into the Scarlets 22 almost made the line. The resulting ruck saw some fisticuffs between Michael Swift and Rob McCusker saw both players go to the bin. The loss of the man didn't seem to affect Connacht and a huge break from George Naoupu and Ronan Loughney created a good platform before the ball swung out to centre Henry Fa'afili who ran past three defenders and offloaded to Mark McCrea for the Ulsterman to run in for his first try for Connacht. Jarvis added the conversion to bring Connacht to within one point. One of the loudest cheers of the night went up on 61 minutes as Brett Wilkinson made his return to the Connacht side after injury. Connacht continued to pressure the Scarlets with Rodney Ah You making great yardage. on 67 minutes Connacht were awarded a penalty outside the Scarlets 22 which substitute Niall O'Connor slotted to give Connacht a two point lead. as the clock ticked down, the Scarlets tried to respond but Connacht's defence stood strong and they held out for a 13-11 win in front of a 3,408 strong crowd. next up for Connacht is an away trip to face Michael Bradley's Edinburgh in Murrayfield before they return to the Sportsground to welcome the Dragons on Friday 23rd September at 7.30pm

Speaking after the match Head Coach Eric Elwood said he was happy with the 4 points but there were areas that needed improvement:

“The 2 good occasions we got into their 22 in the first half we threw the last pass away so maybe we lacked a little composer in some areas but we got ourselves back into the game, got ourselves a foothold at scrumtime, got big George carrying some ball, Rodney carrying some ball and Henry showed some great footwork and with Mark running a great line off his shoulder it was a well taken try. We ground it out, we squeezed it out and thankfully we were able to guide it home.”

Man of the Match George Naoupu goes on another barnstorming run with Ray Ofisa in close support

Mark McCrea touches down for Connacht (above left) and Captain Gavin Duffy sidesteps Rhodri Gomer Davies (above right) All pics (C) www.inpho.ie

With a large crowd expected in the Sportsground for Connacht's first home game of the season today, parking in the ground is extremely limeited. As a result there will be no public parking available in the College Road carpark. There is however parking available in Moneenaghiesha Community College, a four minute walk from the ground.

Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will face the Scarlets this Saturday (the Sportsground ko 15.15)

The team remains unchanged from that which beat Benetton Treviso last Saturday with just 2 changes on the bench. Brett Wilkinson has recovered from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of World Cup contention. The 27 year old loosehead, who has earned 118 caps for Connacht to date replaces Denis Buckley while Stewart Maguire will look to make his first competitive appearance for the Province, he replaces Dylan Rogers as the replacement tighthead prop.

Connacht starting XV to face Scarlets (the Sportsground – Saturday 10^th September ko 15.15)

1. Ronan Loughney

2. Adrian Flavin

3. Rodney Ah You

4. Michael Swift

5. Mike McCarthy

6. John Muldoon

7. Ray Ofisa

8. George Naoupu

9. Frank Murphy

10. Matthew Jarvis

11. Tiernan O’Halloran

12. Henry Fa’afili

13. Eoin Griffin

14. Mark McCrea

15. Gavin Duffy (C)

16. Ethienne Reynecke

17. Brett Wilkinson

18. Stewart Maguire

19. TJ Anderson

20. Johnny O’Connor

21. Paul O’Donohoe

22. Niall O’Connor

23. Brian Tuohy

Tickets for the match can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ie or from www.connachtrugby.ie

picture: Gavin Duffy leads out the Connacht team for the first time as Captain last week in Treviso (C) www.inpho.ie