networkn:
Handle9: Is it really that much of a surprise? It was pretty clearly signalled they would play around with the teams over these 3 games. They've done it a bit more than might have been expected for the first game but Tonga are pretty weak.
Not that much of a surprise, but to bring guys from bolter to starting a match isn't very common. Usually, they introduce new guys off the bench.
As you say, Tonga aren't the strongest team and some experimentation is good, though if it's a scrappy affair, there will be cries about the coaches ad infinitum :(
The team had a pretty average year so there'll be pressure on the coaches. That's how it goes when you appoint unconvincing coaches through a crappy process.