'Ikale Tahi named for Wales test Friday [1]
Wednesday, June 14, 2017 - 18:53. Updated on Thursday, June 15, 2017 - 16:08.
The organisers have released the names of the 'Ikale Tahi team, captained by Siale Piutau, for the Tonga v Wales test match in the Pasifika Challenge to be held at Eden Park in Auckland, on Friday 16 June 2017.
The Tonga v Wales test match, kicking off at 5.30pm (NZ local time), is the first game of a double-header with the All Blacks v Samoa contest, which will be broadcast live in New Zealand and around the world.
A sports marketing group called TLA created the Pasifika Challenge double-header in conjunction with New Zealand Rugby after it was appointed by World Rugby to organise the match at a venue in Auckland.
'Ikale Tahi team:
Players, Position, First Name, Surname (Village), Club
- Loosehead Prop, Latu Talakai (Leimatu'a), Waikato
- Hooker, Paula Ngauamo (Vaini, Kolomotu'a), Mont De Marsan
- Tighthead Prop, Ben Tameifuna (Pea), Racing 92
- Left Lock, Leva Fifita (Neiafu), Waikato
- Right Lock, Sitiveni Mafi ('Ahau & Kolovai), Castres
- Left Flanker, Dan Faleafa (Kolomotu'a and Kolovai), SC ALBI
- Right Flanker, Nili Latu (Āfa), Newcastle Falcons
- Number Eight, Valentino Mapapalangi (Holonga and Ha’alalo), Leicester Tigers
- Scrumhalf, Sonatane Takulua (Lapaha), Newcastle Falcons
- Flyhalf, Latiume Fosita (Haveluloto & Felemea), Auckland
- Left Wing, Cooper Vuna (Houma), Worcester Warriors
- Inside Centre, Vili Tahitu'a (Te’ekiu), Yamaha
- Outside Centre and Captain, Siale Piutau (Kolofo’ou & Folaha), Bristol
- Right Wing, Nafi Tu'itavake (Kolomotu’a and Malapo), Norhtampton Saints
- Fullback, David Halaifonua (Tukulalo, Houma & Fatumu), Gloucester
Reserves:
- Hooker, Suliasi Taufalele (Tatakomotonga), Counties Manukau
- Prop, Sila Puafisi (Ha’ateiho & Longomapu), CS Brive
- Prop, Phil Kite (Kolofo’ou & Fasi moe Afi), Brisbane NRC
- Sione Tau (Kolonga), Agen
- Mike Faleafa (Kolomotu’a & Kolovai), Northland
- Leon Fukofuka (Ha’avakatolo, Fo’ui & Ha’alalo), Crusaders
- Kali Hala (Malapo), Counties Manukau
- Kiti Taimani (Vaini & Tatakomotonga), Grammar TEC
Staff
The Tonga Rugby Union said that seven players, making their first selection for the 'Ikale Tahi on the tour which includes matches against Fiji and Samoa, are Latu Talakai, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Michael Faleafa, Leva Fifita, Leon Fukofuka, 'Atieli Pakalani and Kiti Taimani.