Vuna named in Tonga squad

[psychic duck]

Taking into consideration eligibility issues and contractual obligations I think this would be a reasonable for what the Tongan team may look like come world cup.
1 Tonga'huia
2 Taukafa
3 Pulu/Taumololo
4 Fa'aoso
5 Hehea
6 Mafi
7 Koloamatangi
8 Maka
9 D Morath
10 K Morath
11 Helu
12 Mailei
13 Fatafehi
14 Malupo
15 Lilo

16 Telefoni
17 Lea'aetoa/Filise
18 Kauhenga
19 Kalamafoni/Afu/Vahafolau
20 Fisilau/Havea/Paea
21 H Tonga'huia
22 Taufua

have some players from the 50 man squad declared themselves unavailable now?

I head Mafi Kefu is covering for Toulon during the World Cup which suggests he will not be there

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Most of the players not included in my team that are in the squad are contracted to super 14 teams and have not been capped. Since they are not capped it is more than likely they are contracted under NZRFU Or the ARU binding the players to their national teams if not risk losing their professional contracts. Kefu apparently has chosen club over country during the world cup while others have yet to make their allegiance and availability for Tonga.

 

[brynylon]

Ive heard that Sita Timani(Waratahs)may have signed for Japan and will be available for Tonga in World Cup-yet to be confirmed.Kefu is staying at Toulon but only as a "medical joker" over the World Cup period.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Ive heard that Sita Timani(Waratahs)may have signed for Japan and will be available for Tonga in World Cup-yet to be confirmed.Kefu is staying at Toulon but only as a "medical joker" over the World Cup period.

what the hell is a medical joker?

 

[Seaton]

what the hell is a medical joker?

I assume he means that said player will be feigning injury to prevent a call-up for the world cup

Could be wrong though...

 

[Charles]

I assume he means that said player will be feigning injury to prevent a call-up for the world cup

Could be wrong though...

haha lol.

A medical joker is a player on a short-term contract (the duration of the world cup in this instance) hired to play in case of back-up player injury...

 

[Seaton]

haha lol.

A medical joker is a player on a short-term contract (the duration of the world cup in this instance) hired to play in case of back-up player injury...

You learn something new every day ^_^

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

You learn something new every day ^_^

you know hes not interested to play for Tonga when hed rather be on stand by to the back ups for his club during the world cup period.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Sad, but I guess looking out for your family comes first. Was hoping since Toutai Kefu is apart of the Tonga coaching staff he would convince Mafi to play.

 

[brynylon]

The interesting thing with Kefu at Toulon is that he is only there for the period of the World Cup-after that they dont want him!Ive not seen anything of his transfer to another club anywhere else.
Of course its all about money or Tonga's inability to pay their players decent money to play for them.Tonga is a small island with limited economic resources;even with help with IRB handouts to get them there.THE CEO and coaches might be well paid but the players certainly are not!Its a funny old world were those who represent you on the field get peanuts while those who have no risk of injury are adequately compensated.Thems the breaks.That why up and coming players choose to play in Australia and NZ and represent them.

Also remember Tonga(apart from this year) in most years only play a few tests(3 in PNC usually).Thats part of the problem-exposure to international competition on a regular basis.As a Tier 2 nation,if you dont play you cant get enough rating points to climb up the IRB ladder in non-World Cup years.When did Tonga last play a Tier 1 nation-Fiji and Manu Samoa have in 2010.Fiji plays NZ this year.
So if Tonga can beat them in the PNC this year,what is Tonga's real ranking in the World?

Even without Super 15 players,I am confident Tonga can beat Canada and Japan at RWC 2011 with the players who are available.If you look at the Japan squad announced,it is mainly the same players from PN Cup 2010.There Tonga had the worst forward pack they have ever fielded-yet Japan just won.Tonga have all their backs from then available-add Tongahuia and company and they will an internationally competitive pack(watch the French Barbarians game for proof of that).Strong set piece,big ball runners and heaps of intimidation.If the coaches can instill discipline,they are a force to be reckoned with.

Add a backline who scored the most points in PN Cup 2010,a goalkicker with a great game and 90% success with the goalkicking who knows NZ well and has played in their conditions,and with 5 backline members who have played NPC in NZ recently,and you sense they are going to be a chance.

One thing I can promise,despite the negatives,is that they will have players who WANT to play for their jersey.Players who will be out to promote themselves on the world stage.Players with a common goal and an attitude to give all.Blood is always thicker than money!

 

[Tau tahi]

Well the players won't be lacking in support from Tongan community in NZ from what I understand their is a commitee in place with sponsers and everything.Well money does talk and their is resonably reasons for that, that are understandable but i take my hat off to those who will take time out of their respective clubs to repersent our poor nation.It truely hurts to see players like kefu choose club over nation he could have made him self avaliable and show case his talents on a world stage surely picking up offers as he went about his thing.But Tonga is in good hands.Mate ma Tonga
GO THE IKALE TAHI

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Well the players won't be lacking in support from Tongan community in NZ from what I understand their is a commitee in place with sponsers and everything.Well money does talk and their is resonably reasons for that, that are understandable but i take my hat off to those who will take time out of their respective clubs to repersent our poor nation.It truely hurts to see players like kefu choose club over nation he could have made him self avaliable and show case his talents on a world stage surely picking up offers as he went about his thing.But Tonga is in good hands.Mate ma Tonga
GO THE IKALE TAHI

Never is and never will be any money playing for the islands. Its all about just playing for honor and pride for your country with most having to sacrifice money out of their own pockets to play for an Island side.

 

[brynylon]

The revised Tongan squad for the Churchill Cup is on www.tonganz.net Note there are a few players in the original squad are not available-Fatafehi,Taukafa,Filise,Mafi etc.All being kept for Pacific Nations Cup.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

The revised Tongan squad for the Churchill Cup is on www.tonganz.net Note there are a few players in the original squad are not available-Fatafehi,Taukafa,Filise,Mafi etc.All being kept for Pacific Nations Cup.

Good to see they included Suka Hufanga back into the squad, he was their most potent backline player at the 2007 world cup. Question for brynylon or the other Tongan posters...out of that squad, who do you think will be their centre combination and fullback ? This is how I see the run on team out of that squad for the Churchill cup.
1 T Lea'aetoa
2 S Telefoni
3 K Pulu
4 S Timani
5 P Hehea
6 J Afu
7 O Koloamatangi
8 V Ma'afu
9 D Morath
10 K Morath
11 W Helu
12 ?
13 S Hufanga
14 M Malupo
15 ?

 

[brynylon]

Malupo is there as a fullback even though he normally plays wing.S timani is 6 0r 8 and I think Afu or Kauhenga will lock with Hehea.Sili,Hufanga and Taumoepeau the choices at 12 and 13.Iongi and Fonua will vie for the other wing spot.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Vili Iongi didnt play for his club side yesterday so hopefully he has joined the Tongan side. He is a freaK

 

[brynylon]

He is here in London and will probably debut Wednesday evening.Team is looking sharp in the backs and strong up front.

 

[Tau tahi]

Sure hope they play to their potential.We understand Maka is using this comp to understand does players he hasn't seen play at test level.My run on squad.
1.Tonga Lea'atoa
2.Ilasia Ma'asi
3.Kisi Pulu
4.Emosi Kauhenga
5.Paino Hehea
6.Sione Timani
7.Pepa Koloamatangi
8.Viliami Ma'afu
9.Daniel Morath
10.Kurt Morath
11.William Helu
12.Tomasi Sili
13.Suka Hufanga
14.Viliame Iongi
15.Mateo Malupo

 

[Tau tahi]

Isitolo has just named his squad to take on USA Eagles for their first hit out.
1.T.Lea'atoa
2.I.Ma'asi
3.K.Pulu
4.S.Timani
5.E.Kauhenga
6.P.Mapakaitolo
7.P.Koloamatangi
8.V.Ma'afu
9.S.Havea
10.K.Morath
11.V.Iongi
12.E.Siua
13.S.Hufanga
14.V.Helu
15.M.Malupo

16.A.Halangahu
17.O.Fainga'anuku
18.J.Afu
19.P.Kaho
20.D.Morath
21.E.Paea
22.S.Taumoepeau

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is Tonga'uiha being kept back by the PRL or just not selected?