'Ikale Tahi RWC squad captained by Finau Maka [1]
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 16:01. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
The names of the 30 players for the 'Ikale Tahi Rugby World Cup squad, to be captained by Finau Maka, were announced this afternoon by the new Chairman of the Tonga Rugby Union Authority, Rev Tevita Latailakepa.
The name of Nili Latu was not included in the squad when the new Chairman together with the head coach, 'Isitolo Maka read out the selections.
'Istolo's brother Finau will captain the squad with Vungakoto Lilo as Vice Captain.
Yesterday 'Isitolo told Matangi Tonga that the former Chairman of the Tonga Rugby Union Authority TRUA, Bob Tuckey had resigned suddenly on Saturday, because of his inclusion of the former captain of the 'Ikale Tahi, Nili Latu in his World Cup team.
But today the deputy chairman, 'Aminiasi Kefu said that the TRUA had taken Nili Latu's case into consideration, and after further discussing the matter with the coaching team and the players their final decision was not to include him in the team.
'Isitolo's response to the exclusion of Nili from the team he named last week was simply, "at the end I am just the coach, there are people above me."
The Chairman, Rev. Tevita Latailakepa, a former 'Ikale Tahi himself further elaborated that Nili Latu had not follow the procedure of the selection process of the 'Ikale Tahi, and it was considered unfair for him to just turn up in the last minute and expected to be selected.
The 'Ikale Tahi squad are:
1. 'Aleki 'Aho Lutui
2. Ephraim Taukafa
3. 'Aloisio 'Ilaisa Ma'asi
4. 'Alisona Taumalolo
5. Kisi Pulu
6. Soane Longopoa Tonga'uiha
7. Halani 'Aulika
8. Taufa'ao Filise
9. Kelekolio Paino Hehea
10. Sione Lamipeti Ngalu Timani
11. Tukulua Lokotui
12. Joseph Mark Laifone Tu'ineau
13. Sione Ma'ake Kalamafoni
14. Finau Maka, (Captain)
15. Viliami Suaesi Ma'afu
16. Samiu Vahafolau
17. Sione Vaiomo'unga
18. Taniela Moa
19. Thomas Taufoou Palu
20. Samisoni Fisilau
21. Kurt Stanley Morath
22. Siale Vailea Piutau
23. Latu 'Alipate H Naqasima Fatafehi
24. Andrew Kautonga Ma'ilei
25. Sukanaivalu Ikavuka Hufanga
26. William Fetu'ufuka Ukumaki Helu
27. Fetu'umoana Vainikolo
28. Alaska Nikolasi Taufa
29. Viliame Volovola 'Iongi
30. Vungakoto Lilo (Vice Captain)
Management Team:
31. 'Isitolo Maka, Head Coach
32. Siosua Taumalolo, Assistant Coach (Backs)
33. Toutai Kefu, Assistant Coach (Forwards)
34. John McKee, Technical Advisor
35. Chris Boyd, Skills and Defensive Coach
36. Dan Cron, Scrum Coach
37. Matt Blair, Trainer
38. Dr Faka'osi Pifeleti, Team Doctor
39. Leevan Santos, Physiotherapist
40. Aliouth Helu, Masseur
41. 'Aminiasi Kefu, Team Manager
42. 'Etoni Tonga, Team Media Manager
43. Sione Latu, Baggage Handler
44. Semisi Fonua, Accredited Official
45. Rev Tevita Latailakepa, Accredited Official
The 'Ikale Tahi will depart for the Rugby World Cup on Monday 5 September 2011 and is preparing for its clash with the World Cup favourite, the All Blacks at the opening of the 2011 Rugby World Cup on 9 September.