Former England prop backs ‘Ikale Tahi [1]
Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 17:48. Updated on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - 10:12.
New off field kit for the ‘Ikale Tahi was donated by former English prop Phil Vickery who urged the people of Gloucester to support the squad during the Rugby World Cup that starts on 19 September in England.
He is providing the squad with new off-field kit during the tournament.
Vickery, a former Gloucester prop and owner of Raging Bull kits supplier said “Teams like Tonga bring a huge amount to any World Cup because they are passionate about rugby and hugely competitive for the size of their country.
“We are providing them with their off field outfits to help the guys feel and look the part of a professional team but long term they need the financial support to compete on a level playing field with the bigger nations,” he told the Gloucester Citizen news.
“You only have to look at the skill and power of the Pacific nations teams such as Tonga, Samoa and Fiji to see the talent is there in bucket loads. I know it has been said before but it is true that our sport could truly be global if we back some of these nations properly. It would be great if the public could adopt Tonga as their second team to make them feel they have the goodwill and support off the British public during what looks to be an epic World Cup tournament.”
Peter Harding, 'Ikale Tahi's High Performance Manager said Tonga is behind most countries in what they earn playing rugby. “It feels good for them to be looked after in this way.
“For their outfit we have gone for a pink gingham check shirt with navy wool cashmere sweater, smart chinos and the good thing is Raging Bull go up to 6XL,” he said.
Raging Bull with House of Fraser will also host a reception for the squad on 12 September in Cavendish House, Cheltenham.