Nukualofa, 22 June 2015: ‘Ikale Tahi Team Manager Sioape Tui’ono and Head Coach Mana ‘Otai have officially named the squad to contest the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji and Canada. Five debutantes join a squad that draws on the experience of 2014′s European Test squad, with familiar faces like Nili Latu returning to continue his string leadership role within the team.
The ‘Ikale Tahi squad is:
| Position | Name | Club | From |
| Prop | Tevita Mailau | Perpignan Rugby, France | Felemea (Hp) & ‘Otea (Vv) |
| Prop | Sona Taumalolo | Grenoble, France | Ha’akame (Tt) |
| Prop | Soane Tonga’uiha | Oyonnax, France | Vaini (Tt) & Houma (Tt) |
| Prop | Siua Halanukonuka | Narbonne, France | Hoi (Tt) |
| Prop | Halani ‘Aulika | London Irish, England | Angaha (‘Eua) |
| Prop | Sila Puafisi | Gloucester, England | Ha’ateiho(Tt) & Longomapu (Vv) |
| Hooker | Elvis Taione | Exeter Chiefs, England | Kolomotu’a(Tt) & Ha’akio(Vv) |
| Hooker | Kalafi Pongi | Auckland ITM, New Zealand | Holonga (Tt) & Sopu ‘O Taufa (Tt) |
| Hooker | Sosefo Sakalia | CS Steaua Buchresti, Romania | Nomuka (Hp) & Ma’ufanga(Tt) |
| Lock | Tukulua Lokotui | Beziers Herault, France | Ha’ateiho(Tt) & Mo’unga’one(Hp) |
| Lock | Uili Kolo’ofa’i | Newcastle Falcons, England | Kolomotu’a (Tt) & Niuatoputapu (Niua) |
| Lock | Joseph Tu’ineau | Lyon Rugby, France | Fasi Moe Afi ‘A Tungi (Tt) |
| Back Row | Steve Mafi | Western Force, Australia | ‘Ahau (Tt) & Kolovai (Tt) |
| Back Row | Hale T Pole | Otago ITM, New Zealand | Muitoa (Hp) & Fua’amotu (Tt) |
| Back Row | Viliami Fihaki | Sale Sharks, England | Nukunuku (Tt) |
| Back Row | Nili Latu | Newcastle Falcons, England | Afa (Tt) |
| Back Row | Opeti Fonua | Leicester Tigers, England | Kolonga (Tt) |
| Back Row | Viliami Ma’afu | Oyonnax, France | Kolovai (Tt) |
| Halfback | Sonatane Takulua | Newcastle Falcons, England | Lapaha (Tt) |
| Halfback | Taniela Moa | PAU Section Palaise, France | Fatumu (Tt) & ‘Ohonua (‘Eua) |
| Halfback | Sosefo Ma’ake | Havelu Bulldogs, Tongatapu | Feletoa (Vv) & Haveluloto (Tt) |
| First-five | Latiume Fosita | Doncaster, England | Haveluloto (Tt) & Felemea (Hp) |
| First-five | Kurt Morath | Biarritz, France | Leimatu’a (Vv) |
| First-five | Martin Naufahu | Melbourne Rising NRC, Australia | Haveluliku (Tt) & Niuatoputapu(Niua) |
| Centres | Sione Piukala | Perpignan, France | Futu (‘Eua) & Houma (Tt) |
| Centres | ‘Alipate Fatafehi | US Colomiers, France | Leimatu’a (Vv) |
| Centres | Siale Piutau | Yamaha, Japan | Kolofo’ou(Tt) & Folaha (Tt) |
| Outside Back | ‘Otulea Katoa | Edinburgh, Scotland | Haveluloto (Tt) |
| Outside Back | Fetu’u Vainikolo | Oyonnax, France | Ha’alalo (Tt) |
| Outside Back | Telusa Veainu | Melbourne Rebels, Australia | Matahau (Tt) & Longolongo (Tt) |
| Outside Back | Vungakoto Lilo | US Montauban, France | Koula (Hp) & Foa (Hp) |
(Tt = Tongatapu, Vv = Vava’u, Hp = Ha’apai)
MANAGEMENT
-
- Sioape Tuiono – Team Manager & TRU Vice President
- Peter Harding – High Performance Manager
- Mana Otai – Head Coach
- Tevita Tuifua Assistant Coach
- Jim Mackay – Technical Advisor Attack Coach: Former Wallabies Attack Coach
- Mavae Otumuli – Team Physio
- Robert Naish – Team Physio 2: Former Western Force
- Dr. Fakaosi Pifeleti – Team Doctor
- Scott Anderson – Video Analyst 1: Former Western Force
- Joh Elswijk Fifita – Video Analyst 2
- Marco Caputo – Scrum Coach:Former Leinster/Brumbies Scrum Coach
- Semisi Fonua – Strength & Conditioner
- Kyle Willoughby – Media Manager
The team will meet in Tonga in early July for a training camp before departing for Suva to take on Fiji in the first of their three pool matches for the Pacific Nations Cup.
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