Canada attempt to add harder edge

Weekend previews:  Canada coach Ric Suggitt has added a physical edge to his side for tomorrow's Pool B clash with Fiji by including…

Weekend previews: Canada coach Ric Suggitt has added a physical edge to his side for tomorrow's Pool B clash with Fiji by including lock Mike Burak and outhalf Ryan Smith.

Canada gave Wales a scare in Nantes last week - leading 17-9 shortly after the interval before losing 42-17 - but the Fijian challenge is altogether different.

The islanders play a free-running style but struggle at scrums, so Suggitt aims to combat the first element and target the second.

He explained: "Watching Fiji we saw how dominant they were and where they attack with their runners . . . that's their strength from one to 15. Ryan is an excellent tackler and he'll bring the defensive line with him. Mike Burak is . . . very physical."

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Fiji have had a short turnaround after their bruising 35-31 win over Japan on Wednesday and Canada will seem to take advantage early on.

"We plan on getting stuck right in and . . . hopefully we will catch them off guard," said Suggitt.

Samoa and Tonga have made wholesale changes for tomorrow's Pool A match in Montpellier.

Samoa have made eight changes, including two positional, to the side that beaten 59-7 by South Africa in Paris while Tonga made three changes to the team that beat the US 25-15.

As neighbours in the South Pacific, Samoa and Tonga enjoy a fierce rivalry. Tonga were the stronger team in their early clashes but Samoa have dominated in the last two decades.

"We know Tonga very well, we play them a lot. They know us very well," Samoa coach Michael Jones said. "We've just got to play a very smart game."

CANADA: M Pyke; D van der Merwe; C Culpan, D Spicer, J Pritchard, R Smith, M Williams (c); R Snow, P Riordan, J Thiel; M Burak, M James; J Cudmore, DBiddle, S-M Stephen. Replacements: A Carpenter, D Pletch, M Pletch, L Tait, C Yukes, E Fairhurst, A Monro.

FIJI: K Ratuvou; V Delasau, S Rabeni, S Bai, I Neivua; N Little; M Rauluni (c); G Dewes, S Koto, J Railomo; K Leawere, I Rawaqa; S Naevo, A Qera, S Koyamaibole. Replacements: V Sauturaga, H Qiodravu, N Talei, J Qovu, J Daunivucu, M Kunavore, N Ligairi.

SAMOA: G Williams; S Tagicakibau, E Seveali'I, S Mapusua, A Tuilagi; L Crichton, S So'oialo; J Va'a, M Schwalger, C Johnston; J Tekori; K Thompson; D Leo, U Ulia, S Sititi (c). Replacements: T Fuga, M Salanoa, L Lafaiali'I, J Purdie, J Polu, L Lui, D Lemi,

TONGA: V Lilo; T Tu'ifua, S Hufanga, E Taione, J Vaka; P Hola, E Taufa; S Tonga'uiha, E Taukafa, K Pulu; I Afeaki, P Hehea; H T Pole, N Latu (c), F Maka. Replacements: A Lutui, T Toke, V Vaki,E Kauhenga, S Tu'ipulotu, I Tupou, H Tonga'uiha.