A Tonga Defence Services 30-man rugby team will compete in the first International Defence Rugby Cup Competition 2011 to be hosted in Australia and New Zealand from September 29 to
October 25.

TDS joins 12 rugby teams from nine countries, including 10 defence force rugby teams and two police rugby teams.

They includes the Tonga Defence Services, China's People's Liberation Army, Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police, England's Royal Navy, Royal Air Force RAF, British Army, Republic of South Africa Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force, Papua New Guinea Defence Force, French Armed Forces and Samoa Police.

There are four pools consisting of three teams each. TDS is in pool A against China-PLA and Australian Defence Force. Their first game is against the Chinese on October 1 at Campbell Park in Canberra. Their second game is against the Australian Defence Force on October 5.

The top two teams from each pool will play in the quarterfinal on October 13. And the top four teams will be flown by Royal Australian Air Force aircraft to New Zealand on October 15 for the semi final on October 18 at the Northshore Rugby Club. The final will be held at Auckland University on October 22.

TDS was invited by the Chief of Defence of Australia to participate in the competition aimed at fostering friendship to grow through sports like rugby. And the NZ and Australia Defence Force funds and caters for all expenses during the competition including transport, meals and accommodation.

The TDS rugby team is captained by Private Havealeta and the Vice Captain is Lance Corporal Tevita Mahe with Tuivaita Ueleni as coach and Major Carl Tu'ivai as Team Manager.

The team will be picked up from Tonga by the Australian Air Force aircraft and flown to Canberra, Australia on September 24.

TDS has received rugby jerseys from EM Jones and MBF Bank donated a cheque of $2,000 to pay for medical supplies and other essential supplies.

A special training session will be held with the 'Ikale Tahi and the TDS team at Veitongo on August 30.

Brigadier Tau'aika 'Uta'atu will present $1,500 from TDS to the team in support of their preparation for the Rugby World Cup that starts next week on September 9.