Tonga qualifies for 2008 Rugby League World Cup [1]
Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 17:16. Updated on Friday, June 13, 2014 - 20:06.
Tonga's national rugby league team the Mate Ma'a Tonga beat Samoa 18-10 on October 22 at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, United Kingdom, to qualify for the 2008 World Cup in Australia.
The Mate Ma'a Tonga becomes the first team to qualify for the World Cup from the pool stages with Fiji also qualifying as runners-up, while Samoa will have to go through more qualifying matches next year in the reperchage competition.
The Tonga v Samoa match also completes the final match for the Pacific Qualifiers for the World Cup that began in Australia on September 29 between Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, and the opening match for the new Federation Shield Cup tournament that is currently being held in France and England involving both countries with Samoa and Tonga.
Federation Shield Cup
Tonga...s next game in the Federation Shield will be against England on October 29 at Twickenham Stoop, London, and against France on November 5 at the Halton Stadium, Widnes.
The Mate Ma...a Tonga 24 member squad for the tournament is;
1.John Sinisa, Balmain Tigers
2.Tyron Smith, London Broncos
3.Andrew Emelio, Bulldogs
4.Fetuli Talanoa, Rabbitohs
5.Makasini Ritcher, West Magbies
6.Simione Foliaki, Vaini Doves
7.Joel Taufa...ao, Souths Premier
8.David Pangai, Roosters
9.Kim Uasi, Manukau Counties, NZ
10.Fuifui Moimoi, Eels
11.Solomone Haumono, London Broncos, Captain
12.Feleti Mateo, Eels
13.Willie Tupou, St George
14.Lopini Paea, Roosters
15.Mickey Paea, Roosters
16.Lelea Paea, Roosters
17.Richard Fa...aoso, Castleford Tigers
18.Saia Makisi, North Sydney Bears
19.Samuela Moa, West Tigers
20.Vaea Falemaka, Rabbitohs
21.Taniela Tuiaki, West Tigers
22.Taufa Fukofuka, Mu...a Saints
23.Charlie Tonga, Roosters
24....Etuate Uaisele, Eels
Jimmy Dimmock, Head Coach
The Federation Shield final will be held at Halton stadium, Widnes on November 12.