A Tongan Women's Rugby Seven-a-side team will be competing in two Rugby Seven-a-side tournaments in Brisbane, Australia, this month

A final selection of 12 players were announced on October 27, and they are currently in training before they depart Tonga on November 10.

The core players of the team are the same as those who won the Bowl Final at the Borneo Sevens in September, including the skipper Tokilupe Veamatahau, and try-scoring threats Sela Va'enuku and Pesalini Lave.

Coach Mark Hojelson, said four new players had made the team. 'Eseta Vi, 'Atelaite Manu, Kiana Mu'amoholeva and Sala Kulipau'u are all set to make their debuts for Tonga. "The new girls have been very impressive in training, and they will add some speed and aggression to the team," he said.

The Tongan team will hit the Gold Coast running, with the first tournament, the Noosa International Sevens Festival from November 11-12, scheduled to kick-off the day after they arrive in Queensland.

Team manager Lano Fonua said they will have a seven-day recovery, when they will train with the Australian-based Tongan community, before entering the Paradise Sevens Tournament from November 19-20,

"One of our long-term aims for the Women's Sevens program is to qualify for the Olympics in 2016, so on this trip we hope to have an open training session in Brisbane with Australian-based Tongan community, to see if there are any girls who might be interested in playing Women's Sevens for Tonga in the future," said Lano.

Tonga Women's Rugby Seven-a-side team:

Tokilupe Veamatahau, Forwards/Prop, Matahau;
Pesalini Lave, Forwards/Prop, Fo'ui;
Fakaola Malungahu, Forwards/Prop, Nukunuku;
Lupe Fisilau, Forwards/Hooker, Masilamea;
Losaline Potaufa, Forwards/Hooker, Tokomololo;
'Eseta Vi, Backs/Halfback, Havelu;
'Atelaite Manu, Backs/Halfback, Nukunuku;
Kiana Mu'amoholeva, Backs/Centre, Lapaha;
Katiola Tokotaha, Backs/Centre,Tofoa;
Salome Sela Va'enuku, Backs/Winger, Ha'akame;
Sala Kulipau'u, Backs/Winger,Matahau;
Mele Manumu'a, Backs/Winger, Lomaiviti.

Officials:
Lano Fonua, Manager, Kolofo'ou;
Mark Hojelsen, Coach, Kolofo'ou;
Tupou Pone, Asst. Manager, Longolongo;
Flora Lutui, Team Doctor, Tofoa.