Tonga team named to tour Europe November 2012

[Tonga_rugby]

From matangitonga.to

'Ikale Tahi team named to tour Europe November 10-24

<article about="/2012/10/20/ikale-tahi-team-named-tour-europe-november-10-24" typeof="sioc:Item foaf<img src=" http:="" www.therugbyforum.com="" forumold="" style_emoticons="" default="" biggrin.gif"="" border="0" alt="" ***le="" smilieid="3" class="inlineimg">Tonga's 'Ikale Tahi rugby team to tour Europe from November 10-24 was announced by the team manger Dr Viliami Fukofuka at the Teufaiva Stadium, yesterday evening October 19.
Viliami said that the delay in announcing the team allowed the selectors to finalize their selection at the end of the yesterday's match between the Tonga A and the Fiji Warriors, at the end of the 2012 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup series.
The 'Ikale Tahi team will leave Tonga on Friday October 26. They are scheduled to play four matches:

• 10 November, a test match against Italy, in Italy;
• 13 November, a game against the Newcastle Club, United Kingdom;
• 17 November, a test match against the USA Eagles, in Wales;
• 24 November, a test match against Scotland, in Scotland.

'Ikale Tahi team
Front Row: 'Alisona Taumalolo (France), Saoane Tonga'uha (UK),'Alani 'Aulika (UK), Tevita Mailau (France), Taufa'ao Filise (UK).
Hookers: 'Elevisi Taione (Australia), 'Ilaisa Ma'asi (NZ), 'Aleki Lutui (UK), S. Sakalia (Tonga).
Locks: Joe Tu'ineau (France), Joshua Afu (Australia), Sione Timani (UK), Tukulua Lokotui (NZ), Samisoni Fifita Masima (Tonga).
Breakaways and No. 8: Hale Ta Pole (NZ), Sitiveni Mafi (UK), Nili Latu, (Japan), Sione Vaiomo'unga (Tonga), Paula Kaho (Australia), Viliami Ma'afu (NZ), Uamano Fono (France).
Half: Taniela Moa (France), Samisoni Fisilau (NZ).
First: Fangatapu 'Apikotoa (Italy).
Centres: Adney Mosese Uasila'a (Tonga), Sione Piukala (France), Sukanaivalu Hufanga (UK), Hudson Tonga'uiha.
Wingers: Viliami Helu (NZ), Viliami 'Iongi (Tonga), Mateo Malupo (NZ), Fetu'u Vainikolo (Ireland).
Fullbacks: Vunga Koto Lilo (France), Sitaleki Lu'au (Tonga), 'Apakuki Ma'afu (Australia).
Management team:
Manager: Viliami Fukofuka, Tonga;
Assistant Manager: Lano Fonua, Tonga;
Head Coach: Mana 'Otai, Tonga;
Forward Coach: Mark Bakewell, Australia;
Backline coach: Tim Lane, Australia;
Doctor: Dr Faka'osi Pifileti, UK;
Physiotherapist: [an Australian to be named].


---------------------------------


Surprise: KURT MORATH isn't in the squad !!!!!!




</article>

 

[nickdnz]

I thought Nili Latu was essentially exiled from the Tonga squad. Different management changes this?

 

[Super Sub]

The pack looks good. Tonga should look at selecting Jack Ram, he's a good openside.

 

[Tonga_rugby]

There are only 17 surviving members (10 forwards and 7 backs) from last year's Rugby World Cup squad.

The most noticeable names missing are:
Fowards - Finau Maka, Sione Kalamafoni, Paino Hehea, Samiu Fahafolau;
Backs – Kurt Morath, 'Alipate Fatafehi, Siale Piutau, Andrew Ma'ilei, and Alaska Taufa.

 

[j'nuh]

Kalamafoni could be argued to be one of the most in-form forward playing for Gloucester. I don't think he quite has the step of Ben Morgan, but he can match Morgan's physicality and is a surprisingly fast player with a good rugby brain. I'm not sure too much about the other Tongan backrowers, but I'm surprised that a guy in such good form and still so young is left out.

 

[welshglory]

It probably isn't a matter of form j'nuh.

 

[Croket66]

Note : Viliame Helu plays for Farul Constanta (Romania)

 

[187]

Looking forward to watching DELAYED coverage of all of Tonga's games on The Rugby Channel.. Actually they're not even showing their game against Italy at all... F'N Sky TV.. Kinda lame as crap is that?!... Hello?! We beat the RWC finalists last year. If I can figure out how to get sport without having to have a sky subscription, I would bloody get rid of it... USELESS!


Twitter -> @fredliki holla at ya boy