Team news: Tonga v Great Britain (Sat)

Drew Darbyshire

Jackson Hastings and Gareth Widdop will start in the halves for Great Britain against Tonga this Saturday.

Scotland international Lachlan Coote will start at full-back, with his St Helens team-mate Jonny Lomax being on the bench.

Wigan duo Zak Hardaker and Oliver Gildart will play in the centres, while captain James Graham gets the nod at loose forward.

As for Tonga, Ben Murdoch-Masila of Warrington will start in the back-row alongside new Hull FC recruit Manu Ma’u.

Salford star Tui Lolohea will partner Ata Hingano in the halves for the Mate Ma’a Tonga.

The international Test takes place at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday morning, 8am kick-off (UK time).

Tonga squad: Will Hopoate; David Fusitu’a, Michael Jennings, Kotoni Staggs, Daniel Tupou; Tui Lolohea, Ata Hingano; Andrew Hingano; Andrew Fifita, Siliva Havili, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Manu Ma’u, Jason Taumalolo. Subs: Sione Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, John Asiata, Sitili Tupouniua. Reserves: Tevita Tatola, Konrad Hurrell, Fanitesi Niu.

Great Britain squad: Lachlan Coote; Jermaine McGillvary, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Hall; Gareth Widdop, Jackson Hastings; Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Luke Thompson, John Bateman, Elliott Whitehead, James Graham. Subs: Josh Jones, Tom Burgess, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley. Reserves: Jake Connor, Jack Hughes, George Williams, Daryl Clark.


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