Photos Alcobendas Rugby Club and Tonga Rugby Union

Tonga's national rugby team the ‘Ikale Tahi team are in training camp in Madrid, Spain, ahead of their three 2016 European Tour test matches, starting this weekend, 12 November against Spain. The team is expected to be announced on Thursday, 10 November by the ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach Toutai Kefu.

The 'Ikale Tahi arrived in Madrid for training on 30 October.

Last week the ‘Ikale Tahi paid a visit to dozens of aspiring young Spanish rugby players in Alcobendas.

The City of Alcobendas has been hosting the ‘Ikale Tahi since the team first arrived tin Spain, in a visit organised by the Spanish Rugby Federation, the Alcobendas City Council and the local Alcobendas Rugby Club.

Ignacio Ardila, President of the Alcobendas Rugby Club stated that "Alcobendas continues to be the spearhead of Spanish rugby and that is why the Spanish Federation and World Rugby have trusted us to welcome one of the best teams in the world.

“We are going to do several promotional actions in the city and it is an opportunity to bring rugby to all the neighbours of Alcobendas. Tonga is a team full of players who play in major clubs in Europe and it will certainly be a spectacle to see how they do their traditional haka with our school players or train with our players,” he added.

Tongan rugby player Steve Tuineau represented Spain at the 1999 Rugby World. Steve is the older brother of Joe Tuineau who currently plays Lock for the ‘Ikale Tahi. Alcobendas is a small city with a population of 107,000. The city is the hometown of many Spanish celebrities, including actress Penelope Cruz.

‘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 HARISON 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