A Tonga A Rugby Squad of 27 players was announced by the National Rugby Coach, 'Isitolo Maka on Saturday February 5, to represent Tonga in a restructured IRB Pacific Rugby Cup PRC tournament to be launched in Australia on Saturday February 19.

The Tonga A Squad is made up of 14 local players and 13 overseas players, including two from New Zealand and 11 from Australia.

The IRB PRC since 2006 has been a tournament between two teams each from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, with Tonga's Tau Tahi and the Tau 'Uta; meeting Samoa 'Upolu and Samoa Savai'i; the Fijian Barbarians and the Fijian Warriors.

Under the newly structured IRB PRC, there will be only one team each from Tonga, Fiji and Samoa, and introducing three teams from Australia and four from New Zealand.

From the Pacific Islands there will be the Tongan A, Samoa A and the Fijian Warriors.

From Australia there will be a Junior Waratahs, a Brumby Runners and a Queensland Reds Academy; and from New Zealand the Crusaders Development XV, a Chiefs Development XV and a Hurricanes Development XV.

The Tonga A will open its 2011 PRC campaign with a game against the Junior Waratahs, in Sydney on Saturday 19 February.

The Tonga A 2011 PRC Schedule:

19 February -v- Junior Waratahs, Foreshaw Rugby Park, Sydney, 4:30pm
23 February -v- Brumby Runners, Canberra Stadium, Canberra, 6:30pm
28 February -v- Queensland Reds Academy, Ballymore, Brisbane, 6:30pm
04 March -v- Chiefs Development XV, Growers Stadium, Pukekohe, 6:00pm
09 March -v- Hurricanes Development XV, Hutt Recreation Ground, Wellington, 7:00pm
14 March -v- Crusaders Development XV, Lincoln University, Christchurch, 5:00pm
19 March -v- Fiji Warriors, Churchill Park, Lautoka, 3:30pm
26 March -v- Samoa A, Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, 3:30pm.

The local players for the Tonga A have been training hard and 'Isitolo Maka was pleased with the new PRC format.

"It's fantastic. It gives us a competition comprising eight first class games when we can assess our A players against the Super 15 development teams. These additional games at this level are important in a RWC year as we have a greater opportunity to work with the players and observe first hand their performances over a longer time frame and at a higher level of competition.

"The recent two match tour to Melbourne where the team played the Melbourne Rebels Super 15 team has given the team a solid match preparation in the lead up to the PRC," said 'Isitolo.

'Isitolo said that 'Ikale Tahi Squad for the New Zealand Rugby World Cup will be announced in April, two months before the Pacific Nations Cup when the 'Ikale Tahi, will play Fiji on July 2, Samoa on July 9 and Japan on July 15.

The final build-up for the 'Ikale Tahi before it plays the All Blacks at Eden Park in September will be a home and away game with Fiji, in Fiji on August 12, and in Tonga on August 20, then a final clash with the Manu Samoa in Nuku'alofa on August 27.

The Tonga A squad for the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup:

1. Viliami Pola, Toloa Old Boys
2. Makoni Finau, Lavengamalie
3. Sila Puafisi, Silapelu Ua
4. Maleko Latu, Silapelu Ua
5. Antonio Halangahu, Ranwick, Australia
6. Pataleone Vi, Spartan
7. Taumei Hikila, West Harbour, Australia
8. Alfred Pinomi, West Harbour, Australia
9. Samisoni Masima, Silapelu Ua
10. 'Ofa Finau, Toa ko Ma'afu
11. Paula Kaho, South, Australia
12. Sateki Veikune (Captain), Kolofo'ou Lions
13. Chris 'Aho, Penrith, Australia
14. Kuea Kolokihakaufisi, South, Australia
15. Tevita Ula, Fasi Maufanga
16. Daniel Morath, Waitemata, New Zealand
17. Soane Havea, Marist
18. Tomasi Palu, Kaikorai, New Zealand
19. Eddie Paea, Eastern Suburbs, Australia
20. Sione Piukala, Eastwood, Australia
21. Charles Mateo (Vice Captain), Toloa Old Boys
22. Hupeto Sinisa, West Harbour, Australia
23. Damian Fakafanua, Paramatta, Australia
24. Ratu Ma'afu, West Harbour, Australia
25. 'Otulea Katoa, Spartan
26. Viliami Hakalo, Spartan
27. Mateo Malupo, Marist