The Tautahi Gold, one of the two Tongan rugby teams to compete in the first Pacific Cup Tournament left for Apia, Samoa yesterday for their first away game on April 15.

The International Rugby Board...’s Pacific Cup involves six teams, two each from Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. At the opening of the Pacific Cup Tournament on April 15, the two Fijian teams, the Fiji Barbarians and the Fiji Warriors are to play in Savusavu, Fiji, while in Tonga the second Tongan team, the Tau'uta Red will meet the Savai'i Samoa.

There are five rounds to the tournament, and each team will play three away games and two home games. The final will be on May 20 on a venue that is yet to be confirmed.

The Pacific Cup has been endorsed by the International Rugby Board as part of its US$50 million global IRB strategic investment programme that was launched on August 2005.

In an IRB media release, Bob Tuckey, the IRB Pacific Islands Advisory Chairman said that the tournament is intended to fill a void in the Pacific Island competition pathway between club or provincial rugby in the respective islands and Test rugby.

The Pacific Cup follows the conclusion of domestic competitions in the islands; Fiji's Colonial Cup, Samoa's National Provincial Championship and Tonga's Datec Cup Provincial Championship. It was from these competitions that the six representative teams to compete in the tournament were selected.

The national teams for Tonga, Fiji and Samoa will be selected following the Pacific Cup in preparation for the inaugural Pacific 5 Nations in June/July, between Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan and a Junior All Blacks team.

Tautahi Gold Rugby Team

1.Tangiloto Pahulu

2.Tevita ...‘Unga Papalangi

3.Taukolo Tu...’akoi

4.Josateki Filonitesi Veikune

5.Sione Latai Tu...’ifua

6.Timote Folau

7.Mosese Lusia Manu

8.Leakona Tovi

9....‘Isileli Tupou

10.Sunia ...‘Akaveka Ma...’afu

11.Sione Niu Tonga

12.Robert Christopher Lolohea

13.Tokelau Tatafu

14.Tevita Moala

15.Sione Fangupo

16.Sione Pangai

17.Saula Ma...’asi

18.Fangatapu ...‘Apikotoa

19.Sione Matoto Loto...’ahea

20.Sione Taukapo

21.Sione Heimatoni ...‘Aho

22.Samisoni Pone

23.Vikilani Afeaki

24.Sitani Fa...’aoso

Management

Team Manager: Takitoa Taumoepeau

Head Coach: ...‘Alifeleti Tu...’ihalamaka

Assistant Coach (Forward): Fatuimoana Langilangi

Assistant Coach (Back): Pau Likiliki

Fitness & Conditioning Specialist: George Fred Roll

IRB Pacific Rugby Cup Schedule

ROUND 1 (15/04/2006)

Fiji Warriors v Fiji Barbarians at Subrail Park, Savusavu

Upolu Samoa v Tautahi Gold at Marist Grounds, Apia

Tau'uta Reds v Savaii Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa

ROUND 2 (22/04/2006)

Fiji Barbarians v Tau'uta Reds at Prince Charles Park, Nadi

Upolu Samoa v Fiji Warriors at Marist Grounds, Apia

Tautahi Gold v Savaii Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku...’alofa

ROUND 3 (29/04/2006)

Fiji Warriors v Tautahi Gold at Ratu Cakobau Park

Savaii Samoa v Fiji Barbarians at Marist Grounds, Apia

Tau'uta Reds v Upolu Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku...’alofa

ROUND 4 (06/05/2006)

Fiji Barbarians v Upolu Samoa at Churchill Park,

Savaii Samoa v Fiji Warriors at Marist Grounds, Apia

Tau'uta Reds v Tautahi Gold at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku...’alofa

ROUND 5 (13/05/2006)

Tau'uta Gold v Fiji Barbarians at Teufaiva Stadium

Fiji Warriors v Tautahi Reds at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka

Savaii Samoa v Upolu Samoa at Marist Grounds, Apia

Grand Final Winner A v Winner B (Venue TBC)