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Home > 13 debutants named in ‘Ikale Tahi team to face All Blacks

13 debutants named in ‘Ikale Tahi team to face All Blacks [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Wednesday, June 30, 2021 - 18:19

Tonga Rugby Union board, Maluafisi Falekaono, Manu Mataele, Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, Aisea Aholelei, and CEO Peter Harding, after announcing the 'Ikale Tahi team to face the All Blacks on 3 July, Nuku'alofa. 30 June 2021.

Tonga has named its team, which includes 13 debutants, to face the All Blacks at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday 3 July.

Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa announced the names of the players in his office this afternoon, with head coach Toutai Kefu joining in virtually from New Zealand.

The starting team is made up of nine debutant players, with six experienced players named including captain Sonatane Takulua.

Toutai urged Tongans to support the team on Saturday.

“Everyone in Tonga, please support these new players, who are an exciting bunch of young kids, who for the first time, a lot of them are playing for ‘Ikale Tahi, in probably their biggest challenge to date against the All Blacks this weekend.

“I would love everyone in Tonga to please get behind them and support them.”

Meanwhile Prime Minister Hon Pohiva Tu’i’ontea thanked Toutai and the players and reminded them of previous Tongan teams who had beaten high level teams such as France in 2011 and Scotland in 2012.

“I emphasize to you all of our ultimate confidence on your ability and your capacity to perform with all your talent and your mighty strength especially with your upcoming games with the All Blacks and the two games against Samoa in the coming weeks.”

The Prime Minister said the game will be free to air in Tonga so people can watch their national team.

‘Ikale Tahi captain, Sonatane, is happy to lead the team for Tonga.

“I am proud to be supported by the head coach and players, to lead them for our country in the game on Saturday and the qualifying games against Samoa in the coming weeks.”

He believes the team will perform to the best of their ability “whether we win or lose”.

The game kicks off at 7pm.

'Ikale Tahi team:

 # 

POSITION 

NAME 

VILLAGE 

1. 

LOOSE HEAD 

Duke Nginingini* 

Tu'atakilangi, Ngele'ia, Kolofo'ou (Tt) 

2. 

HOOKER 

Sam Moli* 

Leimatu'a (Vv) & Te’ekiu (Tt) 

3. 

TIGHTHEAD 

Sila Puafisi 

Ha'ateiho (Tt) & Longomapu (Vv) 

4. 

LOCK 

Don Lolo* 

Utui (Vv) 

5. 

LOCK 

Zane Kapeli 

‘Utungake (Vv) 

6. 

BLINDSIDE 

Mateaki Kafatolu* 

Haveluloto & Hofoa (Tt) 

7. 

OPENSIDE 

Solomone Funaki* 

Fanga-o-Pilolevu (Tt) & Pangai (Hp) 

8. 

NO. 8 

Sione Tu’ipolotu* 

Longolongo, Kolofo’ou, Talafo’ou (Tt) & ‘O’ua (Hp) 

9. 

SCRUM HALF 

Sonatane Takulua © 

Lapaha, Ma’ufanga (Tt) & Niuatoputapu 

10. 

OUTSIDE HALF 

Kalione Hala 

Malapo (Tt) & Taoa (Vv) 

11. 

WING 

Penikolo Latu 

Mataika (Vv) 

12. 

CENTRE 

Nikolai Foliaki* 

Ma'ufanga (Tt) & Falevai (Vv) 

13. 

CENTRE 

Fine Inisi* 

Longoteme (Tt) & Fangale’ounga (Hp) 

14. 

WING 

Hosea Saumaki* 

Ha'alaufuli & Talihau (Vv) 

15. 

FULLBACK 

James Faiva 

Ngele’ia (Tt) & Kotu (Hp) 

16. 

FRONT ROW 

Siua Maile 

Veitongo (Tt) & Mata'aho (‘Eua) 

17. 

FRONT ROW 

Jethro Felemi 

Tofoa & Mu'a (Tt) 

18. 

FRONT ROW 

Tau Koloamatangi* 

Pea & Ha’avakatolo (Tt) 

19. 

Harrison Mataele* 

Kolomotu’a, Kolofo’ou, Fo’ui & Fasi-Ma'ufanga (Tt) 

 

20. 

Viliami Taulani* 

Pea (Tt) 

 

21. 

Nasi Manu 

Vaini & Ha'ateiho (Tt) 

 

22. 

Leon Fukofuka 

Ha’avakatolo, Fo’ui & Ha’alalo (Tt) 

 

23. 

Walter Fifita* 

Fua’amotu & Nuku’nuku (Tt) 

 

* Debutants

Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa on a zoom call with 'Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu, with TRU CEO, Peter Harding looking on, Nuku'alofa. 30 June 2021.
Tonga rugby [2]
Tonga [3]
Tonga Rugby Union [4]
'Ikale Tahi [5]
All Blacks [6]
Sports [7]

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Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2021/06/30/13-debutants-named-ikale-tahi-team-face-all-blacks

Links
[1] https://matangitonga.to/2021/06/30/13-debutants-named-ikale-tahi-team-face-all-blacks [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga-rugby?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga-rugby-union?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/tag/ikale-tahi?page=1 [6] https://matangitonga.to/tag/all-blacks?page=1 [7] https://matangitonga.to/topic/sports?page=1