Isitolo Maka announces Tonga’s 41-man squad for pre-World Cup matches against Fiji and Samoa
The Tongan rugby union team, commonly known as Ikale Tahi, has announced their 41-man squad for their pre-World Cup warm up matches against their pacific neighbors Fiji and Samoa. Ikale Tahi head coach Isitolo Maka release a stamen which listed his reduced
squad on Thursday, July 28.
Earlier in April this year, Maka announced Tonga’s 50-man provisional squad for their 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). The squad attended different training and development camps and participated in several tournaments in the past few months.
Maka will announce his final 30-man squad for Tonga’s 2011 RWC campaign at the end of the pre-World Cup games which will be played in the August.
Commenting on the occasion, Maka said, “In the last twenty months, between the ‘Ikale Tahi’ and the Tonga A Teams, they have played about 30 games, and to me, that is good preparation for the boys.”
Maka has expressed his satisfaction with his team’s development for the 2011 the World Cup tournament. He said, “We have played some very strong national teams such as Portugal, the French Barbarians, Italy and Japan, as well as challenging ‘A’ teams, the
likes of Scotland A and Ireland A.”
Maka further added that although they did not perform as well as they would have liked in the 2011 Churchill Cup tournament, the team came back strongly in the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) 2011 Pacific Nations Cup. Tonga defeated Fiji and Samoa in the
Pool matches, while lost to Japan, the eventual winner of the 2011 Pacific Nations Cup.
Maka termed their upcoming tests against Fiji and Samoa as very physical. He expressed hope that the players will make most of the opportunity and work hard to earn their selection in the final 30-man squad for the 2011 RWC.
Tonga will kick-start their 2011 RWC campaign against the tournament hosts, All Blacks, in September later this year.
The 41-man squad has been instructed to report to camp on August 4.
The squad announced includes:
Soane Longopoa Tonga’uiha, Faka’ānaua ki ‘Alisona Taumalolo, Kisi Pulu, Halani ‘Aulika, Tonga Lea’aetoa, Taufa’ao Filise, ‘Aleki ‘Aho Lutui, Ephraim Taukafa, ‘Aliosio ‘Ilaisia Ma’asi, Semisi Fonua Telefoni, Joseph Mark Laifone Tu’ineau, Sione Lamipeti Ngalu
Timani, Tukulua ‘Atu Lokotui, Kelekolio Paino Hehea, Lisiate Fa’aoso, Joshua Lavamofa’oa Afu, Sione Ma’ake Kalamafoni, Viliami Suaesi Ma’afu, Tevita Haniteli Ula, Samiu Kaufusi Vahafolau, Viliami Pasuka Mapakaitolo, Finau Maka, Sione Fale ki he Fohe Vaiomo’unga,
‘Osaiasi Pepa Veikune Koloamatangi, Thomas Ta’ufo’ou Palu, Samisoni Fisilau, Soane Patita, Pat Boon Sioape Havea, ‘Amanaki Vatikani, ‘Unaloto ki Pulotu Vea Teutau (a.k.a Taniela Moa), Kurt Stanley Morath, Andrew Kautonga Ma’ilei, Hudson Tonga’uiha, Alaska
Nikolasi Taufa, Latu ‘Alipate Fatafehi, Sukanaivalu Ikavuka Hufanga, Siale Vailea Piutau, Viliame Volavola ‘Iongi, William Fetu’ufuka Ukumaki Aorere Helu, ‘Etueni Siua, Mateo Vakatalau Malupo, Vungakoto Filimone Lilo.
Tags: