'Ikale Tahi named to play Italy November 10 [1]
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 - 13:59. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
'Ikale Tahi in Gruissan, France. Sona Taumalolo keeps the ball alive as Nili Latu looks on
The 'Ikale Tahi head coach, Mana 'Otai has announced his team to play Italy at Stadio M. Riggamonti, in Brescia, on Saturday, November 10 during Tonga's European Tour.
Mana made his selection of 23 players, from 33 players who participated in a three-day training camp in Gruissan, France.
"The camp gave the coaching staff a chance to work with a players that we have not had the chance to previously, as well as the new players, called up into the squad," said Manu.
"We tried to concentrate on giving the players the tools, patterns and plays they will need during the tour without overloading them during the two and a half-days we had to work with."
The team are now in Brescia, Italy preparing for the clash with Italy who are ranked one place above Tonga at number 11 on the IRB rankings.
The 'Ikale Tahi team to play Italy on Saturday, November 10 –
| Number | Name | Club |
| 1 | 'Alisona Taumalolo | Perpignan |
| 2 | Elvis Taione | Western Force |
| 3 | Halani ‘Aulika | London Irish |
| 4 | Joe Tu’ineau | Aix en Provence |
| 5 | Tukulua Lokotui | Wellington |
| 6 | Sitiveni Mafi | Leicester |
| 7 | Sione Vaiomo'unga | Toloa Old Boys |
| 8 | Viliami Ma'afu | |
| 9 | Taniela Moa (Captain) | Pau |
| 10 | Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa | Amatori Rugby |
| 11 | Viliami Helu | |
| 12 | Sione Piukala | Perpignan |
| 13 | Sukanaivalu Hufanga | Newcastle Falcons |
| 14 | Fetu’u Vainikolo | Connacht |
| 15 | Vungakoto Lilo (vice-captain) | Tarbes Pyrenees |
| Reserves | ||
| 16 | Ilaisa Ma’asi | Counties Manukau |
| 17 | Tevita Mailau | Mont De Marsan |
| 18 | Hale T-Pole | Northland |
| 19 | Paula Kaho | Canberra |
| 20 | Samisoni Fisilau | Northland |
| 21 | Alipate Fatafehi | Lyon |
| 22 | Viliame ‘longi | Marist, Longoteme |
| 23 | Soane Tonga’uiha | Northampton |
During the camp the leadership group, captain and vice-captain were selected for the tour. Nili Latu was nominated as Captain with Taniela Moa selected as Vice Captain. However, Nili Latu who last played for the ‘Ikale Tahi in 2009, will miss the test against Italy as he completes a one match suspension, meaning Taniela Moa who is based at French Club Pau, will captain the side against the Azzuri on Saturday.
Speaking on the selection of Nili Latu as Captain, Coach Mana Otai commented:
“There are a lot of natural leaders in this team and a number of players who have the potential to be leaders for the future, but Nili stood-out at the training camp as an obvious choice for Captain because of his “just do-it attitude” and technically he is right up-there.”