‘Ikale Tahi squad selected for Samoa, All Blacks games [1]
Friday, June 18, 2021 - 18:38. Updated on Friday, June 18, 2021 - 18:39.
‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach, Toutai Kefu, has announced his squad, including 15 debutants, for the Rugby World Cup qualifying matches against the Lapaki Samoa, as well as the 'warm up' match against the All Blacks in July.
Toutai said the players are excited to represent the Kingdom and take the first step on our journey to France 2023.
“We have two games in Auckland and one in Hamilton and look forward to playing in front of a sea of red."
Meanwhile, the selection of Prop, Ben Tameifuna, who currently plays for Bordeaux, is dependent on the outcome of the Top 14 Rugby tournament finals in France.
"Ben's team has a semi-final this weekend, if they lose he will return home and could be available for our last test against Samoa," Toutai told Matangi Tonga today.
Tonga will face the All Blacks on July 3 at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland in a warm up match, followed by two RWC qualifying games against Samoa, on July 10 at Mt Smart Stadium, and on July 17 in Hamilton.
The final ‘Ikale Tahi squad is listed below.
|
Position |
Name |
Village |
Club Name |
|
Prop |
Jethro Felemi |
Tofoa & Mu'a (Tt) |
Reds, Australia |
|
Prop |
Duke Ngin ingin i * |
Tu'atakilangi, Ngele'ia, Kolofo'ou (Tt) |
Counties NZ |
|
Prop |
Jay Fonokalafi |
Haveluloto & Hoi (Tt) |
Grammar Tec, NZ |
|
Hooker |
Siua Maile |
Veitongo (Tt) & Mata'aho (Eua) |
Manawatu, NZ |
|
Hooker |
Sam Moli • |
Leimatu'a (Vv) & Te'ekiu (Tt) |
Tasman, NZ |
|
Pro p |
Luatangi Li * |
Manuka (Tt) & Ha'afeva (Hp) |
Northland, NZ |
|
Prop |
Sila Puafisi |
Ha'ateiho (Tt) & Longomapu (Vv) |
Counties, NZ |
|
Prop |
Ben Tameifuna # |
Pea (Tt} |
Bordeaux, France |
|
Lock |
Sione Tuipolot u * |
Longolongo, Kolofo'ou, Talafo'ou (Tt) & 'O'ua (Hp) |
Auckland, NZ |
|
Lock |
Harrison Mataele |
Kolomotu a Kolofo’ou, Fo’ui Fasi Ma'ufanga (Tt) |
Grammar Tec, NZ |
|
Lock |
Don Lolo * |
Utui (Vv) |
Taieri, NZ |
|
Backrow |
Solomone Funaki * |
Fanga-o-Pilolevu (Tt) & Pangai (Hp) |
Highlanders NZ |
|
Backrow |
Zane Kapeli |
Utungake (Vv) |
Chiefs, NZ |
|
Backrow |
Nasi Manu |
Vaini & Ha'ateiho (Tt) |
Canterbury, NZ |
|
Backrow |
Viliami Taulani * |
Pea (Tt) |
Chiefs, NZ |
|
Backrow |
Mateaki Kafatolu * |
Haveluloto & Hofoa (Tt) |
Wellington, NZ |
|
Halfback |
Sonatane Takulua |
Lapaha, Ma'ufanga (Tt) & Niuatoputapu |
Toulon, France |
|
Halfback |
Leon Fukofuka |
Ha'avakatolo, Fo'ui & Ha'alalo (Tt) |
Hunter, Australia |
|
Halfback |
Aisea Halo * |
Puke & Fatai (Tt) |
North Harbour, NZ |
|
Flyhalf |
James Faiva |
Ngele'ia (Tt) & Kotu (Hp) |
Padova, Italy |
|
Flyhalf |
Kalione Hala |
Malapo (Tt) & Taoa (Vv) |
Counties, NZ |
|
Centre |
Hosea Saumaki * |
Ha'alaufuli & Talihau (Vv) |
Cannon, Japan |
|
Centre |
Fine lnisi * |
Longoteme (Tt) |
North Harbour, NZ |
|
Outside Back |
Sam Vaka • |
Fua' amot u (Tt) & Felemea (Hp) |
Agen, France |
|
Outside Back |
Nafi Tu'it avake |
Kolofo'ou & Fasi (Tt) |
Massey, NZ |
|
Outside Back |
Walter Fifita * |
Fua'amotu & Nuku'nuku (Tt) |
North Harbour, NZ |
|
Outside Back |
Nikolai Foliaki * |
Ma'ufanga (Tt) & Falevai (Vv) |
Northland, NZ |
|
Outside Back |
John Tapueluelu * |
Sailoame Neiafu Vava'u, Umusi Ma'ufanga |
Otago, NZ |
|
Outside Back |
Penikolo Latu |
Mataika (Vv) |
Hawkes Bay, NZ |
|
Outside Back |
Malietoa Hingano |
Makaunga-Talafo'ou-Nukuleka (Tt) & Holonga (Vv) |
Bayonne, France |
* Designates first time selection
# Designates dependent on Top 14 (France) results