Tonga Netball Tala wins first game at Oceania Qualifiers [1]
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 - 09:56. Updated on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 - 09:57.
Tala, Tonga’s National Netball Team defeated Samoa 69-52 in the first game of its campaign at the World Cup 2023 Oceania Regional Qualifiers this week in Suva.
World Netball reported that the game last night was a much closer encounter with Tonga and Samoa, both leading at different times throughout the match.
Samoa started strong, leading by three at the first break but a strong second quarter from Tonga saw them make comeback to lead 27-32 at half-time.
Once Tonga had found their feet in the second quarter, they just continued to go from strength to strength as a team before they won the game 52-69.
Tala will have consecutive games against Fiji on 20 July, PNG on 21 July and Cook Islands on 22 July. Tala goes into the qualifiers, as champions of the 2022 Pacific Australia Netball Series, after defeating Fiji earlier in March.
Meanwhile, the team and offcials met with the Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku last week, in Suva and received their netball gears. The PM was attending the Pacific Islands Forum.
Team Tala
- Hulita Veve, captain
- Claire 'Iongi
- Kalolaine ‘Aukafolau
- Uneeq Palavi
- Beyonce Palavi
- Marie Hansen
- Salote Taufa
- 'Api Taufa
- Lucia Fau’onuku
- Vika Koloto
- ‘Otolose Fainga’anuku
- Halaevalu Toutaiolepo
Travelling Reserves
- Peti Talanoa
- 'Ana Kailahi
- Silia Setefano
Coaching Staff
- Jaqua Simpson, Head Coach
- Briony Akle, Specialist Coach
- Pia Nowell, Manager
- Van Nguyen, Lead Physio
- Tiana Mosca, Physio
Meawhile, Fiji defeated Papua New Guinea 74-32 on the other game.