'Ikale Tahi team to play Romania Sunday 6:00am Tonga time [1]
Saturday, November 9, 2013 - 15:45. Updated on Monday, November 11, 2013 - 11:08.
Nili Latu, 'Ikale Tahi captain (right), with the Romanian captain
The ‘Ikale Tahi has announced its 23 man line-up for the first match of its European tour against Romania.
The game will be played in the Romanian capital, Bucharest on November 9 at 7:00pm Romanian time, (Tonga time Sunday November 10 at 6:00am) at the Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf.
The test match will be an historic occasion, as the first ever test match to be played between Tonga and Romania. Romania is ranked 17th by the IRB world rankings in comparison to 11th placed Tonga.
The ‘Ikale Tahi will be captained by Nili Latu. New players debuting for Tonga are Hooker Suliasi Taufalele (Counties Manukau), Lock-Forward Uili Kolo'ofa'i (US Colomiers, France) and Inside-Back Latiume Fosita (Northland).
The team has been in a one week camp in Gruissan, France, before they headed to Bucharest in preparation for the Romanian game over the weekend.
Head Coach: Mana ‘Otai
- Faka'anaua ki 'Alisona Taumalolo (Loose Head) Perpignan, France
- Vaea Taione (Hooker) Jersey Rugby Club, United Kingdom
- Tevita Mailau (Tighthead) Mont De Marsan, France
- Tukulua Lokotui (Lock) Gloucester, United Kingdom
- Uili Kolo‘ofa‘i (Lock) US Colomiers, France
- Sione Kalamafoni (Blindside) Gloucester, United Kingdom
- Nili Langilangi Latu (Openside) NEC Rockets, Japan
- Viliami Ma’afu (Number 8) Oyonnax, France
- Thomas Palu (Scrum Half) Wellington, New Zealand
- Fangatapu ‘Apikatoa (Fly-half) Marist
- Fetu’umoana Vainikolo (Wing) Exeter, United Kingdom
- Sione Piukala (Centre) Perpignan, France
- Siale Piutau (Centre) Yamaha, Japan
- Will Helu (Wing) London Wasps, United Kingdom
- Lilo Vungakoto (Full Back) Tarbes Pyrenees, France
- Suliasi Fakalolo Taufalele (Hooker) Counties Manukau, New Zealand
- Edmund ‘Aholelei (Prop) Melbourne Rebels, Australia
- Sila Puafisi (Prop) Tasman Mako, New Zealand
- ‘Opeti Fonua (Lock) Bayonne, France
- Vili Fainga’a (Loose Forward) GPS Brisbane, Australia
- Samisoni Fisilau (Scrum Half) Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
- Latiume Fosita (Inside Back) Northland Taniwha, New Zealand
- David Harvey Halaifonua (Outside Back) Hofoa RFC
Defence Coach: Dave Ellis
Offensive Coach: John Issac
Forwards Coach: Mark Bakewell
Strength and Conditioning: Semisi Fonua
Tour Manager: Peter Harding
Logistics Manager: Lano Fonua
Doctor: Faka'osi Pifeleti
Video Analyst: Scott Anderson
Physios: Megan Sturley and Tim Gray