'Isitolo Maka, the Head Coach for the national rugby team, the 'Ikale Tahi, announced a 30-members squad for the Pacific Nations Cup on Tuesday June 1.

The squad is made up of 20 overseas players and 10 local players.

"This is a strong squad, with a good mix of overseas and locally based players. These players now have the opportunity to step up in the test match arena," said 'Isitolo.

He was pleased with the development of the locally based players who had proven their rugby talent during the Pacific Rugby Cup series in Fiji last month. "These players deserve their opportunity to represent their country and show that they are worthy of consideration for the 2011 Rugby World Cup."

He said that overseas based Tongan players who wanted to play for the 'Ikale Tahi. "must bring their experience from overseas competitions and at the same time realize that they will need to step up for the test matches in Samoa, which will be a very intense and hard fought series of games."

The Tongan squad will depart for Samoa on Tuesday, June 8. The officials are: Manager, Sione Lutu Mailangi; Head Coach, 'Isitolo Maka; assistant coaches for the forwards, Feleti Fa'otusia,and for the backs, Siua Taumalolo.

The International Rugby Board IRB Pacific Nations Cup schedule for Samoa:

Saturday June 12
Tonga v Samoa, Apia Park, 15:10
Fiji v Japan, Fiji, 15:10

Saturday June 19
Tonga v Fiji, Apia Park, 13:10
Samoa v Japan, Apia park, 15:40

Saturday June 26
Tonga v Japan, apia Park, 13:10
Samoa v Fiji, Apia Park, 15.40.