Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) today named Siale Piutau as Captain to lead the 30 man 'Ikale Tahi squad to tour Europe next month playing three test matches in Spain and Italy. 

Siale started his rugby career playing for Counties with the likes of All Blacks legend, Tana Umaga after graduating from Wesley College in New Zealand. He went on to play Super Rugby for the Chiefs and Highlanders before joining the Yamaha Jubilo team in Japan and recently completed a season with Wasps RFC in the English Aviva Premiership. He is now back in Japan rejoining the Yamaha Jubilo team.

The 'Ikale Tahi team includes 26 overseas players and 4 players selected from the Tongatapu local rugby competition as part of the compulsory 15% selection of local players into the national squad. 

Head Coach, Toutai Kefu said that some players were retained from the Pacific Nations Cup and that former Captain Nili Latu is injured at the moment.

"Nili is injured at the moment, but it was always on the cards to replace him as captain. His form like all players will dictate whether he represents the Ikale Tahi," said Toutai.

Other injured key players include Sione Kalamafoni and Atieli Pakalani. 

Toutai Kefu will be joined by Assistant Coach and Backline Coach, Matt O’Connor. Matt has held Head Coach roles with Leicester Tigers and Leinster winning premiership titles before heading back to Australia to fill in the role as Interim Head Coach alongside Nick Stiles for the Queensland Reds during the 2016 Super Rugby season.

TRU Chairman and interim CEO, Fe'au Vunipola was appointed as Tour Manager and Lano Fonua appointed as Team Manager.  

The team is due to arrive in Madrid, Spain on 30 October.

‘Ikale Tahi November tour schedule:

• Sat 12 November: 4pm –  TONGA vs SPAIN, Ciudad Universitaria Stadium, Madrid, Spain
• Sat 19 November:  7pm – TONGA vs USA, Stade Anoeta, San Sebastien, Spain
• Sat 26 November: 3pm – TONGA vs ITALY, Stadio Eugene,Padova, Italy

‘Ikale Tahi Squad

1. TEVITA MAILAU – Perpignan - Prop
2. BEN TAMEIFUNA – Racing Metro - Prop
3. SILA PUAFISI – Glasgow Warriors - Prop
4. SIUA HALANUKONUKA – Otago Highlanders - Prop
5. SONA TAUMALOLO – Grenoble – Prop
6. PAULA NGAUAMO – Mont De Marsan - Hooker
7. ELVIS TAIONE – Exeter Chiefs - Hooker
8. SIONE LEA – Taranaki – Hooker/Prop
9. JOE TUINEAU – Dax – Lock
10. STEVE MAFI – Castres – Lock
11. ALBERT HARISION MANU TUILATAI LAUFILITONGA KAKAU MATAELE – Lock
12. VAINANUMA MANU – Marist ‘Apifo'ou - Lock
13. JACK RAM – Auckland Blues - Loose Forward
14. TEVITA KOLOAMATANGI - Waikato Chiefs - Loose Forward/Lock
15. DAN FALEAFA – SC Albi – Loose Forward/Lock
16. VALENTINO MAPAPALANGI – Manawatu Turbos-Loose Forward/Lock
17. BILL FUKOFUKA - Southland - Loose Forward
18. SIONE LOLOHEA - Sila Pelu Ua - Number Eight/Hooker
19. SONATANE TAKULUA – Newcastle Falcons – Halfback
20. THOMAS PALU – Wellington Lions – Halfback
21. SOSEFO MA’AKE – Havelu Bulldogs - Halfback
22. LATIUME FOSITA – Auckland – Inside Back
23. KALI HALA – Counties – Inside Back
24. SIALE PIUTAU - Yamaha – Inside Back – (Captain)
25. TEVITA TAUFUI – Waikato – Outside Back
26. FETUU VAINIKOLO – Ooyonnax – Outside Back
27. COOPER VUNA – Ooyonnax – Outside Back
28. NAFI TUITAVAKE – Northampton Saints – Outside Back
29. TELUSA VEAINU – Leicester Tigers - Outside Back
30. FETULI PAEA – Sila Pelu Ua - Outside Back

Officials

1. Head Coach - Toutai Kefu
2. Assistant Coach – Matt O’Connor
3. Scrum Coach – Tevita Taumoepeau
4. Performance Analyst – Joh Fifita
5. S and C Trainer – Semisi Fonua
6. World Rugby Assistant S and C Trainer - Matt Blair
7. Doctor – Dr. Faka'osi Pifeleti
8. Physio – Leevan Santos
9. Team Manager – Lano Fonua
10. Tour Manager – Fe’ao Vunipola