Warriors powerhouse hooker Aleki Lutui is ready to make his World Cup bow in the showpiece competition in France after being named in the starting line-up for Tonga’s clash with the USA.
Lutui will start in the number two shirt for the Pool A clash in Montpellier on Wednesday. The Islanders are ranked one spot higher than the USA Eagles, at No.14 in the International Rugby Board (IRB) world rankings.
Warriors wing Aisea Havili could also be set for action after being named on the bench for the match.
Summer signing Netani Talei, who will travel to Sixways when the competition has ended, is also named on the replacements bench for Fiji’s opener with Japan on Wednesday.
New recruit Loki Crichton became the first Warrior into World Cup action after coming on in Samoa’s defeat to South Africa over the weekend in Paris.