Sevens coach confident in Tongan team potential [1]
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - 18:38. Updated on Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 14:26.
The Tonga Sevens team were scheduled to leave Tonga on January 31 to play in Wellington, New Zealand on February 4-5.
The coach Siua Taumalolo, a former National Sevens and 'Ikale Tahi player, said that Tonga is in Pool C with Samoa, Australia, and Kenya, but he was confident of a classy performance by his players. "They are all local players, but most of them have international experience. It is a matter of them realizing their potential.
"We are working to set up a platform to develop seven-a-side rugby to the same level as Fiji and Samoa," he said.
After Wellington, the Tonga Sevens will compete in the IRB Sevens in Hong Kong from 25-27 March and in Adelaide from April 2-3.
Tonga has also accepted an invitation from the Japanese Rugby Union to compete in a new Tokyo 7s, from 16-17 April 16-17.
The team list for Wellington is:
Players
1. Jack Dehei Ram
2. Samisoni Nasili Hafoka
3. Tevita Solomone Heehau
4. 'Etisoni Ilaisia Hefa
5. 'Atelea 'Okati
6. Joseph Andy Lui
7. Seilame Tukuafu
8. Michael Toloke
9. Siaosi Tonga
10. Tevita Vainikolo
11. Fokolulu Taumalolo
12. Vaea Poteki
Officials:
Team Manager, Sione Lutu Latu
Team Coach, Siosiua Taumalolo
Team Medic, Kristy Latu