‘Ikale Tahi team to be selected mainly from NZ [1]
Thursday, May 20, 2021 - 15:39. Updated on Thursday, May 20, 2021 - 18:12.
By Eleanor Gee
The ‘Ikale Tahi team to take on the All Blacks on July 3 will be mostly selected from New Zealand, head coach, Toutai Kefu, told Matangi Tonga today.
“There will be a few overseas based players available.”
The match will take place at Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, kicking off at 7:05pm.
“I’m hoping to announce a squad by next week,” said Toutai.
The test will help Tonga prepare for their World Cup 2023 Qualifying first-leg match against Samoa a week later on July 10 at a venue yet to be announced.
The second-leg World Cup 2023 Qualifying match between the two teams will be held in Hamilton on July 17.
The match will also give New Zealand a 'warm-up' for two test matches against Fiji on July 10 and July 17.