Results for Rugby Union

Tonga A suffered a depressing 57 – 7 loss to the Fiji Warriors in the last round of the World Rugby Pacific Challenge tournament on Saturday 17 March in Suva, Fiji. The Fiji Warriors were declared champions, having secured decisive victories over all their opponents including Samoa (33 – 21) and Junior Japan (28 – 3).

Wallaby lock forward Adam Coleman will captain the Melbourne Rebels for the 2018 Super Rugby season. Coleman’s father is Pau’u Afeaki – who captained the 1983 ‘Ikale Tahi team.

The Canterbury Bulldogs have signed Mosese Suli to play for three seasons in the NRL Premiership. The 19-year-old played for the Mate Ma’a Tonga in May last year against Fiji Bati.

Japan’s Super Rugby team, the Sunwolves have announced the addition of Hosea Saumaki for their Super Rugby campaign this year. The 25-year-old Tongan born winger is being dubbed ‘Tongan Gozilla’ by the Japanese media with comparisons to Julian Savea and Nemani Nadolo,

English club, Saracens, have signed Sione Vailanu for on an 18-month deal to begin in 2018. The 22-year-old backrower debuted for Tonga against Japan and Romania in November. Vailanu recently played Sevens Rugby in Japan.

The Tonga Under 20s rugby team scored a last minute try to force a draw against Fiji 26 – 26 in the final of the Oceania Rugby U20 Trophy on Saturday 2 December in Suva, Fiji. To the dismay of Tongan fans, the game did not go to extra-time after the draw, with the Fiji U20s being declared winners of the Trophy as a result of scoring more tries in accordance to the competition rules.

Japan’s Brave Blossoms defeated the ‘Ikale Tahi 39 – 6 on November 18 in Toulouse, France. The Brave Blossoms ran in five tries and successfully prevented the ‘Ikale Tahi from scoring any tries.

The ‘Ikale Tahi narrowly lost to the Barbarians 27 – 24 in Limerick, Ireland on 11 November.

The ‘Ikale Tahi will face a power packed Barbarians team this weekend 10 November in Limerick, Ireland (11 November in Tonga). The Barbarians played the All Blacks last Saturday 7 November at Twickenham Stadium in England, losing 22 – 31 although the Barbarians were ahead 17 – 10 at halftime.