England to face Tonga in League final [1]
Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 17:34. Updated on Friday, June 13, 2014 - 20:03.
The Mate Ma'a Tonga will meet England in the final of the inaugural Federation Shield on Sunday, November 12, at the Halton Stadium, Widnes at 3.30 pm U.K. time (4.30 a.m. Tonga time).
The Federation Shield rugby league tournament is a new tournament between England, France, Samoa and Tonga.
It follows the Pacific Cup tournament, between Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and the Cook Islands, which was played in Australia toward the end of October. Both the Pacific Cup and the Federation Shield tournaments were also used as qualifying games for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup tournament. The Mate Ma'a Tonga thrashed the Cook Islands, and then narrowly lost to Fiji. Meanwhile, Samoa beat Fiji, and the Cook Island but then lost to the Mate Ma'a Tonga, 18-10 on October 22 at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, U.K. This victory qualified Tonga to participate in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and also added on points for Tonga in the Federation Shield tournament.
After the Mate Ma'a Tonga victory over Samoa, the team went down against England, but the outcome of last Sunday's matches when England thrashed Samoa 38-14 at the KC Stadium, and the Mate Ma'a Tonga blew France away 48-10 gave Tonga the chance to have a crack at the Federation Shield. The Mate Ma'a Tonga is already the holder of the Pacific Cup but to bring back the inaugural Federation Shield will definitely be a memorable event for Rugby League in Tonga.
The countries that have qualified so far for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia are New Zealand, Australia, England, France, PNG and Fiji. Samoa has to play repecharge games to qualify for one of the three remaining places. The other countries which are competing for the remaining places are South Africa, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Lebanon and America. There will only be 10 teams competing at the 2008 World Cup in 2008.
The Mate Ma'a Tonga 24-member squad for the Federation Shield tournament are -
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