Tonga team for Rugby World Cup [1]
Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 10:27. Updated on Thursday, May 1, 2014 - 14:54.
Tonga's 30-member 'Ikale Tahi squad for the Rugby World Cup in Australia in October was announced by the Chairman of the Tongan Rugby Union, Tu'ivanuavou Vaea in Nuku'alofa at the end of August.
There are only four local players in the squad: Lisiate 'Ulufonua, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Kafolosi Tonga, and Sila Va'enuku. The rest of the squad is made up of Tongans who are playing rugby in England, Wales, France, Italy, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Sila Va'enuku, one of the four local players, said they would leave Tonga to go to New Zealand on September 15 where the Tongan team will gather for a training camp at Rotorua. They will return to Tonga on September 30 before departing for the Rugby World Cup in Australia on October 2.
The Tonga squad: Inoke Afeaki (Japan - captain), Stanley Afeaki (Auckland), Anthony Alatini (England), Ipolito Fenukitau (Japan), Sione Fonua (Auckland), Aisea Havili (Wales), Pierre Hola (Japan), Sukanaivalu Hufanga (Tonga), Benhur Kivalu (Japan), Tonga Leaaetoa (Australia), Edward Langi (Australia), Usaia Latu (Australia), Heamani Lavaka (Australia), Gus Leger (Counties), Viliami Ma'asi (England), Sililo Martens (Wales), Nisifolo Naufahu (North Auckland), Johnny Ngauamo (France), Milton Ngauamo (Wellington), David Palu (Wellington), John Payne (Australia), Kisi Pulu (Auckland), Ephram Taukafa (Australia), Kafolosi Tonga (Tonga), Sione Tu'amoheloa (North Harbour), Tevita Tu'ifua (Auckland), Sateki Tu'ipolotu (Australia), Lisiate Ulufonua (Tonga), Sila Va'enuku (Tonga), and Viliami Vaki (Italy).
The 'Ikale Tahi is in a Pool D together with the All Blacks, Italy, Wales and Canada, and it will play four tough matches within 14 days.
The 'IT RWC schedule -
15 Oct. 'Ikale Tahi v Italy in Canberra. Referee - Steve Walsh (NZ)
19 Oct. 'Ikale Tahi v Wales in Canberra. Referee - Paul Honiss (NZ)
24 Oct. 'Ikale Tahi v All Blacks in Brisbane. Referee - Pablo Deluca (Argentina)
29 Oct. 'Ikale Tahi v Canada in Woollongong. Referee - Alain Rolland (Ireland).