Official ‘Ikale Tahi team yet to be announced [1]
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 - 22:34. Updated on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 - 21:23.
The official Tongan national rugby team, the ‘Ikale Tahi for the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup tournament has yet to be officially announced by its Executive/Chairman, Fe’ao Vunipola.
Siaosi Faka’osi, the manager of the ‘Ikale Tahi for the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup, confirmed yesterday, 24 May, that the ‘Ikale Tahi team that has been in circulation was leaked out and not official.
“There are new names and the ‘Ikale Tahi team will be officially announced by the Executive Chairman as it is scheduled by the World Rugby.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman and the Head Coach are both away overseas.
It is anticipated that the 28 players in the ‘Ikale Tahi will be made up of overseas Tongan players, who will to gather in Tonga before they depart for the beginning of the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup in Nadi, Fiji.
The opening game of this year’s tournament is between the ‘Ikale Tahi and the Fijian Warriors on 11 June.
The six countries to be competing in the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup are Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Japan, USA, Canada and Georgia.
The officials for the 2016 ‘Ikale Tahi team are:
- Toutai Kefu – Head coach
- Siua Taumalolo – Assistant coach
- Sateki Tu’itavake – Back coach
- Tevita Taumalolo – Scrum coach
- Peni Ploniatu – team doctor
- Mavae ‘Otumuli – physio
- Semisi Fonua – Trainer
- Joe Fifita – Video Analysis
- Siaosi Faka’osi – Team Manager.
Resignation
Meanwhile, the upheaval within the Tonga Rugby Union TRU, which has pushed Tongan rugby further into oblivion in world rugby, came about following the resignation of the former president and chairman of the TRU, ‘Epeli Taione in October 2015. Fe’ao Vunipola was then elected as an interim president and chairman until a new election could be held in May 2016.
Meanwhile, there were claims and counter claims of financial mismanagement and a threat by World Rugby that unless TRU gets its act together it would cut its financial assistance to Tongan rugby.
A spokesperson for the Tonga Rugby Union said a general meeting was held on 11 May, attended by a representative of World Rugby approved an amendment to the TRU’s constitution, with a new structure and the election of new officials.
The officials of the new Tonga Rugby Union are -
- Honorary President – the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva
- Chairman – the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni
- Vice Chairman – Fe’ao Vunipola
Three representatives of the Tongatapu sub-union – Fe’ao Vunipola, Manu Mataele and Uate Halatoa.
A representative from each of the sub-unions of Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua.
The involvement of the Prime Minister as the Honorary President and the Deputy Prime Minister as the Chairman of the TRU came about because of a commitment by the government to repay money that the TRU owed World Rugby and that repayment is scheduled to start immediately.
Following the amendment of the constitution and the election of new member of the board of the Tonga Rugby Union early this month, the board is yet to appoint its new executive staff.