Tonga's national rugby team the 'Ikale Tahi finally qualified to participate in the 2007 Rugby World Cup on Saturday, February 10 after thrashing South Korea 85-3 at the Waitemata Park, Auckland, New Zealand.

The 'Ikale Tahi will be in Pool A with the champion England, South Africa, Samoa and the USA.

Ricky Mafi of the Tonga Rugby Union said today that the 'Ikale Tahi's preparation program for the RWC to be played in France in September had not been finalised.

"We will be able to discuss the issues, such as the selection process of the RWC team, their preparation schedules as well as who will be the coach, when the 'Ikale Tahi and its management team returns to Tonga before the end of the week," said Ricky.

Meanwhile, there have been a number of verbal exchanges in the press by rugby lovers either for or against the current composition of the executives of the Tonga Rugby Union, and their decision for an 'Ikale Tahi team for the RWC to be made up only of Tongan based players.