Tonga set to dye for the cause

World Cup News round-up: Tonga may already be the surprise package at the 2007 World Cup but tomorrow night against England …

World Cup News round-up:Tonga may already be the surprise package at the 2007 World Cup but tomorrow night against England in Paris they are guaranteeing at least one more shock, even if they do not put the world champions out of the tournament.

In their team hotel at Clapier in the hills above Montpellier last night an Irish hairdresser, Dermot Hickie, was dyeing the entire match-day 22 bright green before their TGV journey north to Paris today. Each player has gone for his own style and there will be varying shades of green.

"They [ the authorities] will go mad about this," said Epeli Taione, the former Sale and Newcastle centre who hit upon the idea after raising the money to help pay Tonga's way to France. The team are cash-strapped and before Taione's fund-raising they had intended to stay at home until the last minute.

Thanks to sponsor Paddy Power, however, they were able to afford training camps in New Zealand and England before moving into the slightly unkempt € 68-a-night apartment-hotel for the past three weeks.

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The 28-year-old Taione, who now plays in Japan, initially thanked the sponsor by changing his name by deed poll, but when the IRB refused to amend his entry in the tournament guide to "Paddy Power" he asked what else the team could do. The Irish bookmaker, which had made a five-figure donation, replied by sending Hickie and its representative, Adam Perrin.

"It's just a laugh and we hope people don't take it too seriously. It's just a luck-of-the-Irish thing," said Perrin. "The IRB won't reinstate him with his changed name but this is only a bit of fun and, while we do understand the IRB have their rules, this is the team's way of thanking us."

Tonga captain flanker Nili Latu has been passed fit to play in the crunch game following a hamstring injury.

There are three changes to the team that lost to South Africa. Flanker Hale T Pole returns on the blindside, Viliami Vaki moves to lock from the back row and will pack down alongside new face Lisiate Fa'aoso.

Samoa star Brian Lima's record-breaking World Cup career is over after his appeal against a three-week ban failed.

A three-man appeal committee has upheld the ban imposed on the 35-year-old after Saturday's game against England.

TONGA (v England): Lilo; Tu'ifua, Hufanga, Taione, Vaka; Hola, Tu'ipulotu; S Tonga'uiha, Lutui, Pulu, Vaki, Fa'aoso, HT Pole, Latu (capt), Maka. Replacements: Taukafa, Filise, Molitika, Afeaki, Havea, H Tonga'uiha, A Havili.

WALES (v Fiji): G Thomas ( capt); M Jones, T Shanklin, J Hook, S Williams; S Jones, D Peel; G Jenkins, M Rees, C Horsman, AW Jones, I Evans , C Charvis, M Williams, A Popham. Replacements: R Thomas, D Jones, I Gough, M Owen, M Phillips, J Robinson, D James.

AUSTRALIA (v Canada): C Shepherd; D Mitchell, A Ashley-Cooper, S Staniforth, L Tuqiri; J Huxley, S Cordingley; G Holmes, A Freier, A Baxter, N Sharpe, M Chisholm, H McMeniman, G Smith (captain), D Lyons.Replacements: S Hardman, G Shepherdson, R Elsom, P Waugh, S Hoiles, G Gregan, C Latham.