50 Players for ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach

Posted by admin in Media Releases, RWC 2011, Tournaments      No comments

May
3

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

‘Ikale Tahi for the Churchill Cup, 3-19 June 2011

Posted by admin in Media Releases, Tournaments      No comments

May
3

Media Release Friday 15 April 2011

‘Ikale Tahi for the Churchill Cup

‘Isitolo Maka, Head Coach of the ‘Ikale Tahi, today released the names of the twenty eight players who will make up the National team to contest the Churchill Cup being held in the United Kingdom during June.

This is the first time Tonga or any other Pacific Island team has been invited into this tournament which traditionally is comprised of Northern Hemisphere teams.

The Churchill Cup tournament is contested in two pools of three teams. Tonga has the USA and England Saxons in its pool whilst the second pool is made up of Canada, Russia and Italy A. After the pool phase, first, second and third in each pool then play off for the Cup, Bowl and Plate.

‘Isitolo Maka said that he and his co-selectors have identified a wider squad of fifty players for consideration for the Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand later in the year and that the twenty eight selected for this tour were drawn from that squad. “Those players not included in this team will get their chance in July when the ‘Ikale Tahi contests the IRB Pacific Nations Cup”.

“With the Churchill Cup, the Pacific Nations Cup and two Test matches against Fiji during August we will have a very good lead in to the World Cup and the fifty players in the squad will have every opportunity to press their claims for selection in the final RWC team of thirty players” Isitolo said

The team will assemble in London on Friday, 3rd June 2011.

END/NGATA’ANGA

Contact:

Melenaite Højelsen

Tel: +676 26-045

Fax: +676 26-044

Mob: +676 840-5383

Email: naite.hojelsen@tongarugbyunion.tbu.to