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Home > ‘Ikale Tahi named to play Spain on Nov 12

‘Ikale Tahi named to play Spain on Nov 12 [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Thursday, November 10, 2016 - 23:05.  Updated on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 - 18:42.

The ‘Ikale Tahi team to play Spain at the Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid on Saturday, 12 November (Sunday in Tonga) was named this morning.

At the Tonga Rugby Union's office at Fasi, through Skype from Madrid, the ‘Ikale Tahi Team Manager Lano Fonua announced the team. The Head Coach Toutai Kefu, and team Captain, Siale Piutau also answered questions about their preparation for the three-match European Tour.

After the ‘Ikale Tahi ranked No. 15 in world rugby, play Spain (ranked 23), they will play the USA (ranked 17) at Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian on 19 November; and Italy (ranked 13) at Stadio Euganeo, Padova on 26 November.

Toutai said that some of his more experienced players such as Vuna Cooper, Nili Latu, and Sona Taumalolo, had been side-lined with injuries, but it gave some up-coming talent the opportunity to play for Tonga.

While the European tour for the ‘Ikale Tahi is seen as part of the process of trying to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he said that the real battle to qualify for a spot in the 2019 Rugby World Cup would be during the June 2017 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, between Tonga, Fiji and Samoa.

According to the latest World Rugby ranking, Fiji is No. 10, Samoa No. 14 and Tonga No. 15, but none of them have qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The 12 countries that already qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup are: Australia, Japan, South Africa, Argentina, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand and England.

The ‘Ikale Tahi team named for the 12 November match against Spain at the Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid (16:00 Sunday November 11) are:

  1. Tevita Mailau
  2. Paula Ngauamo
  3. Siua Halanukonuka
  4. Steve Mafi
  5. Joe Tu'ineau
  6. Dan Faleafa
  7. Jack Ram
  8. Tevita Koloamatangi
  9. Sonatane Takulua
  10. Kali Hala
  11. Fetu'u Vainikolo
  12. Latiume Fosita
  13. Siale Piutau
  14. Nafi Tu’itavake
  15. David Halaifonua

Reserves

16. Elvis Taione
17. Sione Lea
18. Paea Fa'anunu
19. Valentino Mapapalangi
20. Kotoni Ale
21. Tomasi Palu
22. Tevita Taufu’i
23. Fetuli Paea.

'Ikale Tahi [2]
Spain [3]
USA [4]
Italy [5]
2019 World Rugby Cup [6]
2017 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup [7]
Sports [8]
Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2016/11/10/ikale-tahi-named-play-spain

Links
[1] https://matangitonga.to/2016/11/10/ikale-tahi-named-play-spain [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/ikale-tahi?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/spain?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/usa?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/tag/italy?page=1 [6] https://matangitonga.to/tag/2019-world-rugby-cup?page=1 [7] https://matangitonga.to/tag/2017-world-rugby-pacific-nations-cup?page=1 [8] https://matangitonga.to/topic/sports?page=1