Tonga's Tautahi Gold leaves for Pacific Cup match in Apia, April 15 [1]
Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 18:34. Updated on Friday, June 13, 2014 - 20:08.
The Tautahi Gold, one of the two Tongan rugby teams to compete in the first Pacific Cup Tournament left for Apia, Samoa yesterday for their first away game on April 15.
The International Rugby Board...s Pacific Cup involves six teams, two each from Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. At the opening of the Pacific Cup Tournament on April 15, the two Fijian teams, the Fiji Barbarians and the Fiji Warriors are to play in Savusavu, Fiji, while in Tonga the second Tongan team, the Tau'uta Red will meet the Savai'i Samoa.
There are five rounds to the tournament, and each team will play three away games and two home games. The final will be on May 20 on a venue that is yet to be confirmed.
The Pacific Cup has been endorsed by the International Rugby Board as part of its US$50 million global IRB strategic investment programme that was launched on August 2005.
In an IRB media release, Bob Tuckey, the IRB Pacific Islands Advisory Chairman said that the tournament is intended to fill a void in the Pacific Island competition pathway between club or provincial rugby in the respective islands and Test rugby.
The Pacific Cup follows the conclusion of domestic competitions in the islands; Fiji's Colonial Cup, Samoa's National Provincial Championship and Tonga's Datec Cup Provincial Championship. It was from these competitions that the six representative teams to compete in the tournament were selected.
The national teams for Tonga, Fiji and Samoa will be selected following the Pacific Cup in preparation for the inaugural Pacific 5 Nations in June/July, between Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan and a Junior All Blacks team.
Tautahi Gold Rugby Team
1.Tangiloto Pahulu
2.Tevita ...Unga Papalangi
3.Taukolo Tu...akoi
4.Josateki Filonitesi Veikune
5.Sione Latai Tu...ifua
6.Timote Folau
7.Mosese Lusia Manu
8.Leakona Tovi
9....Isileli Tupou
10.Sunia ...Akaveka Ma...afu
11.Sione Niu Tonga
12.Robert Christopher Lolohea
13.Tokelau Tatafu
14.Tevita Moala
15.Sione Fangupo
16.Sione Pangai
17.Saula Ma...asi
18.Fangatapu ...Apikotoa
19.Sione Matoto Loto...ahea
20.Sione Taukapo
21.Sione Heimatoni ...Aho
22.Samisoni Pone
23.Vikilani Afeaki
24.Sitani Fa...aoso
Management
Team Manager: Takitoa Taumoepeau
Head Coach: ...Alifeleti Tu...ihalamaka
Assistant Coach (Forward): Fatuimoana Langilangi
Assistant Coach (Back): Pau Likiliki
Fitness & Conditioning Specialist: George Fred Roll
IRB Pacific Rugby Cup Schedule
ROUND 1 (15/04/2006)
Fiji Warriors v Fiji Barbarians at Subrail Park, Savusavu
Upolu Samoa v Tautahi Gold at Marist Grounds, Apia
Tau'uta Reds v Savaii Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa
ROUND 2 (22/04/2006)
Fiji Barbarians v Tau'uta Reds at Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Upolu Samoa v Fiji Warriors at Marist Grounds, Apia
Tautahi Gold v Savaii Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku...alofa
ROUND 3 (29/04/2006)
Fiji Warriors v Tautahi Gold at Ratu Cakobau Park
Savaii Samoa v Fiji Barbarians at Marist Grounds, Apia
Tau'uta Reds v Upolu Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku...alofa
ROUND 4 (06/05/2006)
Fiji Barbarians v Upolu Samoa at Churchill Park,
Savaii Samoa v Fiji Warriors at Marist Grounds, Apia
Tau'uta Reds v Tautahi Gold at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku...alofa
ROUND 5 (13/05/2006)
Tau'uta Gold v Fiji Barbarians at Teufaiva Stadium
Fiji Warriors v Tautahi Reds at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
Savaii Samoa v Upolu Samoa at Marist Grounds, Apia
Grand Final Winner A v Winner B (Venue TBC)