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‘IKALE TAHI DAY 16RWC IN WHANGAREI, NORTHLAND
The non 22 players were requested to make several public appearances throughout Whangarei hence the group of 8 players were divided into two teams group 1: Finau Maka, Thomas Palu, William Helu and Alaska Taufa visited:
- Whangarei Primary School (AM)
- Kamo Intermediate School (PM)
Group 2: Ephraim Taukafa, Viliami Iongi, Kisi Pulu and Sione Timani visited:
- Ranburn Homes at Waipu (AM)
- Pompallier College at Whangarei (PM)
I had joined group 1 in their public appearances. The players were well received by the Whangarei Primary School children with a Kapa Hakaperformance and the player’s responded with a brief speech from William Helu thanking the school for a tremendous welcome by the students.
The players then joined the students in a light rugby drills which everyone enjoyed thoroughly. The players then continued to sign many autographs for the students.
In the afternoon after a brief luncheon the players journeyed onto Kamo Intermediate School and were welcomed by senior class with a Haka, Thomas Palu responded on behalf of the group by thanking the students for their warm welcome. The players progressed onto visitingClass 3 who won the school competition to host Ikale Tahi players for their visitto their school.
The last International team to visit Whangarei was the 1971 British Lions so the Rugby World Cup has brought 3 international teams to Whangarei to play 2 international test matches at Whangarei Event Centre was a historical event for the Whangarei region.
The Tongan team has been adopted by Whangarei as its team because Tonga plays its 2 test matches in Whangarei. Tonga vs Japan will be the last Rugby World Cup 2011 played in Whangarei and there is uncertainty if any future international test matches shall be played in Whangarei.
The whole day was thoroughly enjoyed by the players and their camera man.
‘IKALE TAHI DAY 16RWC IN WHANGAREI, NORTHLAND
The team returned from Paihia (Scenic Hotel) to Whangarei (Kingsgate Hotel) to prepare for theirPool A,3rd round game Tonga vs Japan on 21st September at Northland Event Centre.
The team trained in the afternoon at the Marist Rugby Football Club field from 1630 until 1800, the whole team trained well with the exception of Finau Maka (bruised ribs) and Thomas Palu (calf strain). Finau looks unlikely to start this game or even make the bench but should return against France.
At 1900 the team announcementfor Tonga vs Japan kick-off at 19:30 (NZST) as follows:
No: Position: Name:
1 Prop Soane Tongauiha
2 Hooker Aleki Lutui (C)
3 Prop Taufaao Filise
4 Lock Tukulua Lokotui
5 Lock Paino Hehea
6 Flanker Sione Kalamafoni
7 Flanker Sione Vaiomounga
8 Number 8 Viliami Maafu
9 Halfback Taniela Moa
10 First five Kurt Morath
11 Wing Sukanaivalu Hufanga
12 Second five Alipate Fatafehi
13 Centre Siale Piutau
14 Wing Fetuu Vainikolo
15 Fullback Vungakoto Lilo (VC)
16 Reserve Ilaisia Maasi
17 Reserve Alisona Taumalolo
18 Reserve Halani Aulika
19 Reserve Joseph Tuineau
20 Reserve Samiu Vahafolau
21 Reserve Samisoni Fisilau
22 Reserve Andrew Mailei
With both teams winless after two rounds in Pool A. Both teams are eager to register their first win in the tournament.
Isitolo Maka and his selection panel have kept their faith with the in-form players that have performed well against New Zealand and Canada. Tonga will have to play 80 minutes of Rugby to beat Japan come Wednesday night.
— RELEASE ENDS —
Enquiries:
‘Etoni Tonga – Team Media Manager – Mobile: 0275066531
‘IKALE TAHI TEAM TO PLAY JAPAN
The ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach, ‘Isitolo Maka has selected the following players to play against
Japan this Wednesday 21 September at the Northlands Events Centre in Whangarei:
1 Soane Tonga’uiha
2 ‘Aleki Lutui, Captain
3 Taufa’ao Filise
4 Tukulua Lokotui
5 Paino Hehea
6 Sione Kalamafoni
7 Sione Vaiomo’unga
8 Viliami Ma’afu
9 Taniela Moa
10 Kurt Morath
11 Sukanaivalu Hufanga
12 ‘Alipate Fatafehi
13 Siale Piutau
14 Fetu’u Vainikolo
15 Vungakoto Lilo, Vice Captain
Reserves:
16 ‘Ilaisia Ma’asi
17 ‘Alisona Taumalolo
18 Halani ‘Aulika
19 Joe Tu’ineau
20 Samiu Vahafolau
21 Samisoni Fisilau
22 Andrew Ma’ilei
The ‘Ikale Tahi returned today to Whangarei after spending 4 days at Paihia, and being
accommodated at the Scenic Hotel.
The team trained last Friday at the Bledisloe Domain in Paihia and on Saturday at Kerikeri.
On Saturday afternoon the team caught the ferry from Paihia to Russell, the first capital of
New Zealand where they consumed a number of oysters and other local delicacies during the Russell
Oyster Festival.
On Sunday the team attended a church service organised by the Okaihau Tongan Community
and local business and community groups. Those attending were Tongans from neighbouring towns
such as Dargaville, Kerikeri and Whangarei. The church service was held at the Okaihau College Hall
and the luncheon was held at the Okaihau Town Hall. During the luncheon ‘Emosi Koloto and Frank
Koloi presented monetary gifts directly to the Captain, Finau Maka, collected from kava clubs in
Auckland.
P.O BOX 369, Salote Rd, Fasi moe Afi, Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of TONGA
T: +676 26 045 or 26 044
The team will return to Paihia on Thursday after playing Japan, and then will travel down to
Wellington next Monday 26 September to prepare for their final pool phase game against France on
Saturday 1 October.
‘Ikale Tahi Team for the Rugby World Cup 2011
The Tonga Rugby Union Authority is pleased to announce today the Tonga ‘Ikale Tahi Team to represent the Kingdom of Tonga to the Rugby World Cup 2011 to be held in New Zealand.
The team is as follows:
1 ‘Aleki ‘Aho Lutui
2 Ephraim Taukafa
3 ‘Aloisio ‘IlaisiaMa’asi
4 Faka’anau ki ‘Alisona Taumalolo
5 Kisi Pulu
6 Soane LongopoaTonga’uiha
7 Halani ‘Aulika
8 Taufa’aoFilise
9 Kelekolio PainoHehea
10 Sione LamipetiNgaluTimani
11 Tukulua‘Atu Lokotui
12 Joseph Mark LaifoneTu’ineau
13 Sione Ma’akeKalamafoni
14 Finau Maka, (Captain)
15 Viliami Suaesi Ma’afu
16 SamiuKaufusi Vahafolau
17 Sione Fale ki he FoheVaiomo’unga
18 ‘Unaloto ki Pulotu Vea Teutaua.k.aTaniela Moa
19 Thomas Ta’ufo’ou Palu
20 SamisoniFisilau
21 Kurt Stanley Morath
22 Siale VaileaPiutau
23 Latu ‘Alipate H Naqasima Fatafehi
24 Andrew KautongaMa’ilei
25 SukanaivaluIkavukaHufanga
26 William Fetu’ufukaUkumakiAorereHelu
27 Fetu’umoanaVainikolo
28 Alaska NikolasiTaufa
29 ViliameVolovola ‘Iongi
30 VungakotoFilimoneLilo(Vice Captain)
Management Team:
31 ‘Isitolo Maka, Head Coach
32 Siua Taumalolo, Assistant Coach (Backs)
33 Rodger SiaosiToutai Kefu, Assistant Coach (Forwards)
34 John Gregory McKee, Technical Advisor
35 Christopher John LowrieBoyd, Skills and Defensive Coach
36 Daniel Michael Cron, Scrum Coach
37 Matthew Ross Blair, Strength & Conditioner
38 DrFaka’osiFolauPifeleti, Team Doctor
39 Leevan Santos, Physiotherapist
40 Alioth Sinclair Helu, Massage Therapist
41 ‘Asipeli ‘Aminiasi Kefu, Team Manager
42 ‘EtonisiaTongafaleolaTonga, Team Media Manager
43 Sione TupoumalohiLatu, Baggage Handler
44 Semisi Ian Reginald Fonua, Accredited Official
45 Rev. Tevita ‘AhoafiLatailakepa, Accredited Official
The ‘Ikale Tahi will depart for the Rugby World Cup in the morning of Monday 5 September 2011.
The ‘Ikale Tahi is currently training every morning and afternoon at the field of the Sia’atoutai Theological College for this week only.
In the evening of Sunday 28 August 2011, there will be a combined prayer service at the FWC Centenary Church led by the Church leaders as a dedicated service for the ‘Ikale Tahi in preparation for the Rugby World Cup tournament.
From Monday 29 September the team will then go into camp and will be training at the Soccer Centre at Loto Tonga, Veitongo.
The Churches will be visiting the team every evening up to Sunday 4 September to provide a prayer service for the team, and offer any assistance they would want to make for the ‘Ikale Tahi.
The Board of Directors and the Coaches and Team would like to thank all the people in Tonga and around the world for their prayers and support, and hope this continues throughout and up to the end of the Rugby World Cup campaign.
‘Aminiasi Kefu
Deputy Chairman
23 August 2011
For any further inquiries, contact:
Mr ‘Aminiasi Kefu
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors
Salote Road, Fasimoeafi
Telephone: (676) 26 044 (Office) / (676) 7715314
Email: aminiasi@kalianet.to
50 Players for ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach
Wednesday 20 April 2011
50 Players for ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach
A squad of fifty (50) players was today announced by ‘Isitolo Maka, ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach as part of the ‘Ikale Tahi preparation in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2011.
The 50 is a mixture of local and overseas based players with opportunities to perform at the Churchill Cup, the IRB Pacific Nations Cup and the 2 test matches against Fiji.
1. Soane Tonga’uiha
2. Alisona Taumalolo
3. Kisi Pulu
4. Tonga Lea’aetoa
5. Halani ‘Aulika
6. Maleko Latu
7. Tukulua Lokotui
8. Sitaleki Timani
9. ‘Emosi Kauhenga
10. Lisiate Fa’aoso
11. Paino Hehea
12. Joe Tu’ineau
13. Sione Kalamafoni
14.Sitiveni O. Mafi
15. Josh Afu
16. Samiu Vahafolau
17. Finau Maka
18. Viliami Ma’afu
19. Sione Timani
20. Ifalemi Taukafa
21. Antonio Halangahu
22. Semisi Telefoni
23. Ilaisa Ma’asi
24. Pepa Koloamatangi
25. Samisoni Fisilau
26. Daniel Morath
27. Etimoni Paea
28. Tomasi Palu
29. Soane Havea
30. Kurt Morath
31. Paula Kaho
32. Tevita Ula
33. Viliami Iongi
34. Mafile’o Kefu
35. Andrew Ma’ilei
36. Tomasi Sili
37. Alipate Fatafehi
38. Alaska Taufa
39. Viliami Helu
40. Atieli Pakalani
41. Tevita Halaifonua
42. Mateo Malupo
43. Vunagkoto Lilo
44. Cooper Vuna
45. Siale Piutau
46. Hudson Tonga’uiha
47. Silivenusi Taumoepeau
48. Taufa’ao Filise
49. Sione Fonua
50. Pasuka Mapakaitolo
At the conclusion of Churchill Cup, a final squad is required to be submitted to Rugby World Cup.
The final Rugby World Cup team of 30 players has to be named by the 22nd August 2011. With the representative program for the ‘Ikale Tahi in June, July and August, each of the players named above will have every opportunity to press for selection in the final 30.
END/NGATA’ANGA
Contact:
Melenaite Højelsen
Tel: +676 26-045
Fax: +676 26-044
Mob: +676 840-5383
Email: naite.hojelsen@tongarugbyunion.tbu.to
‘Isitolo Maka & Toutai Kefu in Europe
Media Release Friday 29th April 2011
Maka & Kefu in Europe
‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach ‘Isitolo Maka and newly appointed skills coach Toutai Kefu arrived in London today on a ten day whirlwind journey of France and the United Kingdom.
Whilst there they will meet up with Tonga’s European based National rugby players and also officials of clubs they play for, on a pre-Rugby World Cup briefing of players and fact finding mission.
Late this afternoon ‘Isitolo and Toutai will catch a flight to Bordeaux, France to start the French leg of their journey. From Bordeaux they will travel to Agen, Perpignan, Aix-en- Provence, Toulon and Lyon before heading back to the United Kingdom next Thursday evening to Manchester and London.
“Emails and phone calls are one thing but they can’t beat face to face meetings on such an important matter as Rugby World Cup preparations,” TRUA Chairman Bob Tuckey said. “Most importantly the coaches will take the opportunity to discuss with the players’ clubs the ‘Ikale Tahi timetable for tournament and camp assemblies and check on the players’ injury profile and conditioning programmes.”
‘Isitolo will travel direct from London to New Zealand where he will spend a number of days catching up with some of the New Zealand based players for the same purpose, before returning to Tonga.
The Southern Hemisphere contingent for the Churchill Cup will leave Tonga for London on the 1st June 2011 as assembly in London is on the 3rd June. Following the Churchill Cup, the ‘Ikale Tahi will participate in the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC), now scheduled to be held in Fiji. The change in venue was due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the north-east coast of Japan on March 11. The PNC will be held in Fiji from the 2-13 July between Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Japan.
ENDS
Contact:
Melenaite Højelsen
Tel: +676 26-045
Fax: +676 26-044
Mob: +676 840-5383
Keep Rugby Clean
Official RWC 2011 Team