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