The Tongan Rugby Union Seven-a-side team left Wellington, New Zealand, on February 8 for the United States to take part in the second International Rugby Board Sevens Series, to be held in Los Angeles February 14 -15.

The Tongan's tasted success in the IRB Sevens Series in Wellington, where they won the Plate and finished in fifth place, after beating, South Africa, USA, Samoa and Kenya. Tonga was ranked 10th in the world.

The team that won the Plate in Wellington were, Sefa Vaka, Sitaleki Mafile'o, Vaea Poteki, Sila Va'enuku, Vahanoa Fale'ovalu, Tevita Fifita, Kaihea Tu'akoi, Kiniconi Bakewa, Sione Langatau, and Sikuti Vunipola.

The manager was Dr 'Amanaki Fakakovi, Coach was Manu Vunipola and the trainer, Suliasi Vivili.

Unfortunately, some of the team could not travel to the USA because of visa problems, including Sikuti Vunipola, Sitaleki Mafile'o, Vaea Poteki, Sila Va'enuku, and Vahanoa Faleovalu. The trainer Suliasi Vivili also could not travel to the USA. These players were replaced by Seti Kiole, Laukau Filitonga, Tevita Latu, Kuea Kolokihakaufisi, and Paula Kaho. The new trainer is Talanoa Tohi.