Tonga A for America's Rugby Championship in September [1]
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 17:20. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
WITH nearly year to go before Tonga's 'Ikale Tahi face the New Zealand All Blacks in the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup on September 9, a national "Tonga A" rugby team is preparing in Nuku'alofa for the America's Rugby Championship in September, this year.
The Tonga A team is expected to play USA, Argentina and Canada from September 29 to October 16 in Buenos Aires.
A 33-member team was recently announced consisting of local players, but it is anticipated that some overseas players may join.
'Ikale Tahi Head Coach 'Isitolo Maka said he would be looking at the players' performance during this tour for any potential players for Tonga's Rugby World Cup team.
He said that a final squad consisting only of 28 players would be selected from this current squad, but no specific time had been set on when they would be announced.
TONGA A 33 member-Squad
Hookers
1. Kama Sakalia
2. Pataleoni Vi
3. Sione Vaimounga
Props
4. Toma Toke
5. Makoni Finau
6. Otulea Fifita
7. Viliami Pola
8. Amone Vea
9. Soane Leger
10. Sione Faupula
Locks
11. Atunaisa Fakaosi
12. Akameta Fe'ao
13. Laina Katoa
Loose
14. Andrew Tai
Forwards
15. Paula Kata
16. Sione Vaioleti
17. Paea Siulangapo
18. Kuli Tonga
19. Simana Halaifonua
20. Lutika Ilolahia
21. Matini Tupou
Halfback
22. Soane Havea
23. Maamaloa Kuluka
Flyhalf
24. Fangatapu 'Apikotoa
25. Patrick Makaafi
Centre
26. Mahe Fangupo
27. Charles Mateo
Wingers
28. Michael Toloke
29. Samisoni Hafoka
30. Tatafu Naniumotu
Fullbacks
31. Viliami Hakalo
32. 'Etueni Siua
33. Mesui Lemoto
Preparation
Meanwhile, in an interview with Matangi Tonga earlier this month, the 'Ikale Tahi Head Coach was adamant that if Tonga goes into the World Cup with the positive attitude to win and that they can beat the All Blacks, anything is possible.
In preparation for the RWC 2011, the 'Ikale Tahi is looking at three international tests in August 2011 that include two home and away tests with Fiji and another possibly from the Northern Hemisphere countries.
'Isitolo also saw the Pacific Nations Cup in July 2011 as another playing ground for the 'Ikale Tahi to prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
He said the 'Ikale Tahi final 30-member world cup squad would not be finalised until August, next year but he expected that the initial 40-member squad would be in Tonga by June.
He said the potential team would consist mostly of Tongan players from abroad but he would not be able to confirm their names and availability for Tonga until after the Super 15 ended in May, and that in Europe for the Tongans playing in France and UK.
He said by having his squad in Tonga in June, he would then have three months of preparation and training before the RWC.
Top players
Some of the Tongan top players under his radar include the likes of Soane Tonga'uiha from England, Vunga Lilo from France and Sona Taumalolo from the Waikato Chiefs.
'Isitolo also planned to visit New Zealand, Australia and Europe early next year to talk with various clubs about the potential Tongan players he had in mind.
The 'Ikale Tahi in Pool A and will play four games: against New Zealand on September 9; then on September 14 against Canada in Whangarei; followed by Japan on September 21 at the same venue. It would then go head to head with France in its final pool match on October 1 in Wellington.
Financial
In relation to financial aspects of the preparations for the RWC, the Minister responsible for Rugby World Cup 2011 Hon 'Afu'alo Matoto said that the Government would be assisting the 'Ikale Tahi.
He said he had received indication from the new Tonga Rugby Union Authority Board that they needed assistance but no specific budget had been allocated for them at this stage.
In February, the king in Council enacted the Tonga Rugby Union Authority Ordinance 2010 (TRUA) to create the new body to take over from the Tonga Rugby Football Union (TRFU) in the administration of rugby union in Tonga.
The Minister then appointed five Board of Directors to the TRUA and they are Bob Tuckey, Fakahau Valu, 'Aminiasi Kefu, Takitoa Taumoepeau and Tapu Panuve.
TRUA is an interim measure effective only from February 2010 to February 2012.