By Eleanor Gee

Tonga’s Rugby League Nines team have been relentless in their fitness training at Teufaiva Stadium as they prepare for the Pacific Games next month.

The 15-man squad were lively and in high spirits while enduring a few hours of strength and conditioning drills, including weights training, leg maneuvers, and timed sprints early yesterday morning, 18 June.

Coach Taufa Fukofuka told Matangi Tonga the players are all locals from around the kingdom. “Five players are from ‘Eua, one is from Ha’apai, and nine are from Tongatapu.”

He said the team will depart for Samoa on 4 July. At this stage, Tonga’s first game is scheduled for 8 July, with finals held on 9 July.

Tonga National Rugby League Chairman, George Koloamatangi said Tonga has always had a rugby league nines team at the Pacific Games since it was introduced in 2007 in Samoa.

“The last games were held in PNG and we got a bronze, very unlucky not to get through to the finals,” he said.

The team have been training for over a month now and have just returned from a three-match tour of Fiji.

George said the tour has helped with their fitness and they will continue to train and be monitored by Semisi Fonua and his strength and conditioning coaches until they leave.

He added that it is very hard to say how the team will perform in Samoa, but “if we go by what they encountered in Fiji talent-wise we are in there with a big chance of being in the finals”.

Team list:

1. Atunaisa Ilaiu
2. Bruce Folau
3. Lamipeti Havea
4. Nafetalai Koloi
5. Palavi Tahaafe
6. Peni Maufualu
7. Pita Manukeu
8. Saimone Lasalosi
9. Solomone Luau
10. Sosefo Tonga
11. Taufui Maafu
12. Tevita Fanua
13. Vahai Nau
14. Vaivalo Tuakalau
15. Veteange Latu

Officials:

Head Coach: Taufa Fukofuka
Team Manager: Col. (Retd.) Sialmelie Latu
Technical Official : 'Etonisia Tonga
Technical advisor: Tony Barnes
S& C Coach: Darren Jones
Board Representative: Petuliki Mafile'o