Tongan World Cup Squad Announced

[T.Rugby]

The 'Ikale Tahi 40-man Squad

Props
1. Toma Toke, Tonga
2. Mosese Moala, France
3. Taufa'ao Filise, England
4. Tevita Taumoepeau, England
5. Soane Tonga'uiha, England
6. Sateki Mata�u, Tonga

Hookers
7. Ephraim Taukafa, England
8. 'Aleki Lutui, England
9. Feki Moala, Tonga

Locks
10. Paino Hehea, France
11. 'Inoke Afeaki, France
12. Lisiate Fa'aoso, New Zealand
13. Sione Kalamafoni, Tonga
14. �Emosi Kauhenga, Japan

Flankers
15. 'Otenili Langilangi [aka Nili Latu], New Zealand
16. Hale Pole, New Zealand
17. Finau Maka, France
18. Viliami Vaki, France
19. Chris Hala�ufia, England

No. 8s
20. Samiu Vahafolau, France
21. Lotu Filipine, Japan

Halfbacks
22. Soane Havea, Tonga
23. 'Enele Taufa, Tonga
24. Sikuti Vunipola, Australia

Flyhalf
25. Pierre Hola, Japan
26. Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, Tonga
27. Tevita Tu�ifua, New Zealand
28. Movete 'Oto'ota, Tonga

Inside Centres
29. 'Epeli Taione, Australia
30. Kaiongo Tupou, Tonga

Centres
31. Hudson Tonga'uiha, Tonga
32. Suka Hufanga, France
33. Siua Taumalolo, Engaland

Wingers
34. Sam Satui, Australia
35. Ualosi Kailea, Tonga
36. Seti Kiole, New Zealand
37. 'Aisea Havili [aka Aisea Kaufusi], England
38. Viliami Hakalo, France

Fullbacks
39. Vunga Lilo, Tonga
40. Sione Tu'ipulotu, Japan



The 'Ikale Tahi 30-man team for the 2007 Rugby World Cup will be confirmed within the next few days, and the remaining 10 players will remain in Tonga as reserve players in case of injuries.


Man, that is an impressive squad of 40, some big names in there and its great to see some old names coming back Paino Hehea, it saddens me to see that Ma'ama molitika will not be in the world cup as he has recently signed again for cardiff blues



My Starting 22



1. Soane Tonga'uiha

2. Ephraim Taukafa

3. Mosese Moala

4. Inoke Afeaki ©

5. Paino Hehea

6. Hale T-Pole

7. Nili Latu

8. Chris Hala'ufia

9. Soane Havea

10. Pierre Hola

11. Villiami Hakolo

12. Siua Taumalolo

13. Sukanaivalu Hufanga

14. Aisea Kaufusi

15. Sione Tu'ipulotu



16. Aleki Lutui

17. Tevita Taumoepeau

18. Lisiate Fa'aoso

19. Villiami Vaki

20. Sikuti Vunipola

21. Fangatapu 'Apikotoa

22. Epi Taione

 

[Fa'atau82]

I was trying to think who was missing, and i came up with Tevita Vaikona (saracens departee) Maa'ma Molitika. Does Taione play flanker as well.. i seem to recall it from somewhere.

Where is Vaikona at?

 

[ws4life]

WOW What an impressive list of players to choose from. Very strong in the forwards, Particularly the Loosies (pretty world class 2 me). Should be very Competetive against the USA and Samoa and who knows maybe an upset against England maybe on the cards . My squad is in bold. :cheers:

Props
1. Toma Toke, Tonga
2. Mosese Moala, France
3. Taufa'ao Filise, England
4. Tevita Taumoepeau, England
5. Soane Tonga'uiha, England
6. Sateki Mata'u, Tonga

Hookers
7. Ephraim Taukafa, England
8. 'Aleki Lutui, England
9. Feki Moala, Tonga

Locks
10. Paino Hehea, France
11. 'Inoke Afeaki, France
12. Lisiate Fa'aoso, New Zealand
13. Sione Kalamafoni, Tonga
14. 'Emosi Kauhenga, Japan

Flankers
15. 'Otenili Langilangi [aka Nili Latu], New Zealand
16. Hale T-Pole, New Zealand
17. Finau Maka, France
18. Viliami Vaki, France
19. Chris Hala'ufia, England

No. 8s
20. Samiu Vahafolau, France
21. Lotu Filipine, Japan

Halfbacks
22. Soane Havea, Tonga
23. Enele Taufa, Tonga
24. Sikuti Vunipola, Australia

Flyhalf
25. Pierre Hola, Japan
26. Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, Tonga
27. Tevita Tu'ifua, New Zealand
28. Movete 'Oto'ota, Tonga

Inside Centres
29. 'Epeli Taione, Australia
30. Kaiongo Tupou, Tonga

Centres
31. Hudson Tonga'uiha, Tonga
32. Suka Hufanga, France
33. Siua Taumalolo, Engaland

Wingers
34. Sam Satui, Australia
35. Ualosi Kailea, Tonga
36. Seti Kiole, New Zealand
37. 'Aisea Havili [aka Aisea Kaufusi], England
38. Viliami Hakalo, France

Fullbacks
39. Vunga Lilo, Tonga
40. Sione Tu'ipulotu, Japan



My team

1. Taufa'ao Filise
2. 'Aleki Lutui
3. Tevita Taumoepeau
4. Paino Hehea
5. Inoke Afeaki
6. Hale T-Pole
7. 'Otenili Langilangi
8. Finau Maka
9. Soane Havea
10. Pierre Hola
11. Seti Kiole
12. Epi Taione
13. Suka Hufanga
14. Aisea Kaufusi
15. Sione Tu'ipulotu
16. Ephraim Taukafa
17. Soane Tongaui'ha
18. Sione Kalamafoni
19. Samiu Vahafolau
20. Sikuti Vunipola
21. Siua Taumalolo
22. Tevita Tu'ifua

 

[ws4life]

Another thing, Im really diggin Tongaz world cup kit.Like Samoas very creative n unique and I think expresses the culture of the Pacific Islands. To c it click the link below

http://www.worldrugbyshop.com/departments-...ome-jersey.html

 

[T.Rugby]

Another thing, Im really diggin Tongaz world cup kit.Like Samoas very creative n unique and I think expresses the culture of the Pacific Islands. To c it click the link below

http://www.worldrugbyshop.com/departments-...ome-jersey.html

[/b]

thats a crazy jersey, cheerz for the link man defs gonna buy me one of dem....haha i htought tonga would have some crappy second hand jersey looks like Kooga has done a swt job .....

 

[philhirons]

Another saints substitute missing for a while then .... not that we ever use tiny anyway , but would have been nice to see him run at some semi pro forwards of esher

 

[T.Rugby]

I was trying to think who was missing, and i came up with Tevita Vaikona (saracens departee) Maa'ma Molitika. Does Taione play flanker as well.. i seem to recall it from somewhere.

Where is Vaikona at? [/b]

Ma'ama Molitika

Villiame Ma'asi have both recently signed for clubs molitika to the cardiff blues and ma'asi for leeds....



Vaikona travelled to tonga to trial but did not make the squad, which is a real surprise the ikale tahi selectors must see something really special in the wingers they have chosen?....i dont know anything about sam satui other than he was in the australian 2005 schoolboys i think



Taione does play flanker, but he has the speed to play centres but for his ex clubs sale and newcastle he use to play in the backrow

 

[dzha061]

personally i dont think this squad is strong enough sure you have som european based players but i dont think tonga will go very far in the world cup
but i wont doubt therr effort tho

 

[kinu]

I was trying to think who was missing, and i came up with Tevita Vaikona (saracens departee) Maa'ma Molitika. Does Taione play flanker as well.. i seem to recall it from somewhere.

Where is Vaikona at?
[/b]

You don't want Viliani Vaki in your team ?? He did 2 great seasons in France, with Perpignan !!!!! A GREAT PLAYER !!!

 

[big_dave_07]

Can't believe vaikona not included and i think vainikolo went down as well but obviously not really experienced enough to be thrown in for the world cup maybe the next one though

 

[Fa'atau82]

Tonga is a tiny, tiny country. They only have a population of around 100,000, and approximately 1,000 players to choose from.

Then you look at players who have emerged from Tonga, like Jonah Lomu, and all the said Tongans playing at top level in Europe and NZ (Hale T-Pole, Nili Latu etc) and you probably have the world's most raw talented rugby country on the percentage of players who become solid pros in the top pro leagues.

Tonga won't be humilated. They might lose by 60 points perhaps, but they do well to get to the RWC and can only get better.