'Ikale Tahi leaves for Pacific Nations Tournament [1]
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 - 17:20. Updated on Friday, June 13, 2014 - 19:18.
The 'Ikale Tahi left Tonga yesterday morning, June 2, for New Zealand on the first leg of the six Pacific Nations Rugby Tournament, meeting the New Zealand Maori on Saturday.
Kutusi Fieliea, the coach of the 'Ikale Tahi, said that their first game will be against the New Zealand Maori on Saturday, June 7. Then the team goes to Japan where they will meet the Japanese national team, then on to Australia where they will meet an Australian A team, before they return to Tonga to welcome the Manu Samoa and the Fijians.
There are 26 members in the Tongan team including the officials. Kutusi said there are three overseas players in the team, Nili Latu, 'Epeli Taione and Hale. He envisaged that some of the Tongan players who are playing in Europe, mainly France will join the 'Ikale Tahi for the two home games against Samoa and Fiji.
"They are not available right now, but they will be able to join us when we return at the end of the month," said Kutusi.
The two home games for the 'Ikale Tahi will be at the end of June and on August 5.
There was an upbeat feeling among the 'Ikale Tahi players, not only because the Tautahi Gold have just won the Pacific Cup by beating the 'Upolu Samoa in Apia, but they now have an IRB representative, Des Carter, who will get involved in the management of the Tonga Rugby Union.
Investigation
The Board is currently under investigation ordered by the Tonga Supreme Court.
All the games in the Six Nations Tournament will be very tough for the 'Ikale Tahi. The last time Tonga beat the New Zealand Maori was during the 1950s, and they will meet an Australian A team who will be just as good as the Wallabies. The last time Tonga beat the Wallabies was in 1973.
With the Japanese, the 'Ikale Tahi were beaten by the Japanese for the first time last year so they have some debts to pay in the first three games.
With the home games against the Manu Samoa and Fiji, the 'Ikale Tahi beat both of our neighbours when they last met, the Fijians in last year's tournament winner and the Manu Samoa during the 2007 World Cup, so on it's home turf, the 'Ikale Tahi has to defend its glory.
The 2008 'Ikale Tahi team
2 Viliami Ma'asi
3 Prop, Toma Toke
4 Sateki Mata'u
5 Makoni Finau
6 Tonga Lea'aetoa (NZ)
7 Locks,Sione Timani
8 Emosi Kauhenga
9 Samiu Ika
10 Josh Afu
11 Breakaway, Hale Pole Tu'uhoko
12 Otenili Langlangi a.k.a Otenili Latu
13 Lotu Filipine
14 Tevita Fifita
15 HalfbacksSoane Patita
Pat Boon
Sioape Havea
16 Enele Taufa
17 Flyhalf,Fangatapu 'Apikotoa
18 Vaea Poteki
19 Inside Centre Epeli Taione
20 Isileli Matakaiongo Tupou
21 Centre, Hudson Tonga'uiha (NZ)
22 Winger, Samisoni Pone
23 Sione Lavaka
24 Tupou Palu
25 Fullback, Vungakoto Filimone Lilo
26 Sione Mone Tu'ipulotu
Officials
1Head Coach, Quddus Fielea
2Forward Coach, Isileli Fatani
3Back Coach, Semi Taupeaafe
4Assit Coach, Liueli Lafoe
5Video Analysis, Joh Fifita
6Manager, Taufa 'Ahome'e
7Trainer, Semisi Fonua
8Team Doctor, Edgar 'Akau'ola
9Physio, Alison Donnan