Tonga Rugby World Cup Squad

[IKALETAHI]

The Team

1. 'Aleki Lutui, 2. Ephraim Taukafa, 3. 'Ilaisa Ma'asi 4. 'Alisona Taumalolo 5. Kisi Pulu 6. Soane Tonga'uiha 7. Halani 'Aulika 8. Taufa'ao Filise 9. Paino Hehea 10. Sione Timani 11. Tukulua Lokotui 12. Joseph Tu'ineau, 13. Sione Kalamafoni 14. Finau Maka (Captain) 15. Viliami Ma'afu 16. Samiu Vahafolau 17. Sione Vaiomo'unga 18. Taniela Moa 19. Thomas Palu 20. Samisoni Fisilau 21. Kurt Morath 22. Siale Piutau 23. 'Alipate Fatafehi 24. Andrew Ma'ilei 25. Sukanaivalu Hufanga 26. William Helu, 27. Fetu?u Vainikolo 28. Alaska Taufa, 29. Viliame 'Iongi, 30. Vungakoto Lilo (Vice Captain).

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

A real shame in regards to Nili Latu not being selected into the team.
My Tongan RWC match day lineup
1. Soane Tonga'uiha
2. Ephraim Taukafa
3. Kisi Pulu
4. Sione Timani
5. Joe Tu'ineau
6. Viliami Ma'afu
7. Finau Maka (captain)
8. Samiu Vahafolau
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Viliame Iongi
12. Suka Hufanga
13. Alipate Fatafehi
14. Siale Piutau
15. Vunga Lilo

16. Alisona Taumalolo
17. Ilaisa Ma'asi
18. Halani Aulika
19. Paino Hehea
20. Sione Kalamafoni
21. Samisoni Fisilau
22. Andrew Mailei

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

woops...forgot Fetu'u Vainikolo
My (revised) Tongan RWC match day lineup
1. Soane Tonga'uiha
2. Ephraim Taukafa
3. Kisi Pulu
4. Sione Timani
5. Joe Tu'ineau
6. Viliami Ma'afu
7. Finau Maka (captain)
8. Samiu Vahafolau
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Viliame Iongi
12. Siale Piutau
13. Alipate Fatafehi
14. Fetu'u Vainikolo
15. Vunga Lilo

16. Alisona Taumalolo
17. Ilaisa Ma'asi
18. Halani Aulika
19. Paino Hehea
20. Sione Kalamafoni
21. Samisoni Fisilau
22. Andrew Mailei

 

[IKALETAHI]

My 'IKALE TAHI STARTING TEAM

15.

Vunga Lilo
14.

Fetu'u Vainikolo
13.

Alipate fatafehi
12.

Siale Piutau
11.

Vili 'Iongi
10.

Kurt Morath
9.

Taniela Moa
8.

Samiu Vahafolau
7.

Finau Maka(C)
6.

Vili Ma'afu
5.

Joe Tuineau
4.

Sione Timani
3.

Kisi Pulu
2.

'Aleki Lutui
1.

Soane Tonga'uiha

'IKALE TAHI BENCH

16. 'Ilaisa Ma'asi/Ephraim Taukafa 17. Sona Taumalolo 18. Halani Aulika 19.Paino Hehea 20. Sione Kalamafoni 21. Samisoni Fisilau 22. Andrew Mailei

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

I guess we agree on the same teams then.

 

[IKALETAHI]

The team would look so much better with Latu in it. Hooker is a position Im not too fussy about. I dont mind who starts, I went with Lutui for his experience and physicality, but I havnt seen much on any of the Hookers this yr to be sure who is in form.

 

[AverageJoe]

I had heard that Nili Latu was going to be selected and it was for that reason that the Tongan rugby chairman stepped down or something, but then when I read the squad he wasn't there... does anyone know anything about this?

 

[IKALETAHI]

cover up story for the public the Chairman was most likely driven out by money/power hungry board members in Tonga. The chairman who was appointed wasnt the one who banned Nili Latu so it doesnt make sense that He would leave over such an incident. The Tongan Rugby Union released a statement today indicating Isitolo Maka's interest in selecting Nili Latu, but stated they did not approve of Nili Latu's inclusion.

brynlyon a member on these forums who seems to always have accurate inside information has said The Tongan Rugby Union Board thought it was unfair to other players to include Latu. To wrap things up Tongan Rugby is full of politics and a mess.

 

[187]

. To wrap things up Tongan Rugby is full of politics and a mess.

you can say that again mate. It's a real shame after our success at the last world cup, it doesn't really seem like we have made any progress since then.