‘Ikale Tahi team for 2012 IRB Pacific Nations Cup

May 22, 2012 - 8:36am

The Tonga Rugby Union is pleased to announce the Tonga ‘Ikale Tahi squad of players and officials who have been selected to participate in the 2012 IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament, which will be held in Japan this year.

The squad is as follows:

 

Props

1 ‘Ofa Fainga’anuku – Eastern Suburbs, AUSTRALIA

2 Tevita Mailau – Auckland Blues, NEW ZEALAND

3 Sila Puafisi – Counties Manukau, NEW ZEALAND

4 Kisi Pulu – Perpignan, FRANCE

 

Hookers

5 ‘Ilaisa Ma’asi – Counties Manukau, NEW ZEALAND

6 Viliami Pola – Timaru, SOUTH CANTEBURY

 

Locks

7 Joe Tu’ineau – Montpellier, FRANCE

8 Joshua Afu – Carcarsson, FRANCE

9 Tukulua Lokotui – Kintetsu Liners, JAPAN

 

Loose Forwards

10 Sione Kalamafoni – Gloucester, ENGLAND

11 Steven Mafi – Leicester Tigers, ENGLAND

12 Paula Kaho – Canberra Vikings, AUSTRALIA

13 Sione Vaiomo’unga – Toloa Old Boys, TONGA

14 ‘Osaiasi Pepa Koloamatangi – Counties Manukau, NEW ZEALAND

15 Viliami Ma’afu – Glasgow, SCOTLAND

 

Halfbacks

16 Taniela Moa – PAU, FRANCE

17 Thomas Palu – MUNICIPAL TIMISOVAVA, ROMANIA

 

Flyhalf

18 Kurt Morath - JAPAN

19 Eddie Paea – AUSTRALIA

 

Centres

20 Sefa Vaka - Toyota Shokki, JAPAN

21 Mafile’o Kefu – DAX,FRANCE

22 Siale Piutau – Otago Highlanders, NEW ZEALAND

23 Kilifi Latu – Spartans, TONGA

24 ‘Alipate Fatafehi – Lyon, FRANCE

 

Wings

25 Fetu’u Vainikolo – Connacht, IRELAND

26 Alaska Taufa – Akita Northern Bullets, JAPAN

27 Daniel Kilioni – Havelu Bulldogs, TONGA

 

Fullback

28 Viliame ‘Iongi – Scarlets, WALES

 

Management

29 Toutai Kefu, Interim Head Coach

30 Sateki Tu’ipulotu, Interim Assistant Coach

31 Chris Hickey, Technical Advisor

32 Dr Uiliami Fuokofuka, Team Manager

33 Siaosi Lepuha Faka’osi, Assistant Team Manager

34 Dr Siale Hausia, Team Doctor

35 Faupula Kolokihakaufisi, Strength and Conditioning Trainer

36 Tim Gray, Physiotherapist

 

The non-travelling reserves are:

1 Richard Aho (Prop) Penrith, AUSTRALIA

2 Sione Timani (Lock) Scarlets, WALES

3 Sione Vaioleti (Loose Forward) Counties Manukau, NEW ZEALAND

4 Samiu Vahafolau (Loose Forward) FRANCE

5 Samisoni Fisilau (Halfback) Counties Manukau, NEW ZEALAND

6 Kuki Ma’afu (Wing) Eastern Suburbs, AUSTRALIA

7 Sione Piukala (Centre) Eastwood, AUSTRALIA

8 Damien Fakafanua (Centre) Parramatta, AUSTRALIA

9 Mateo Malupo (Wing) Northland, NEW ZEALAND

10 Viliami Hakalo (Wing) Spartans, TONGA

 

There will be 15 members of the squad that will depart from Tonga on 1 June 2012, and the remainder will travel from Auckland, Sydney, France, the United Kingdom and some are already in Japan to assemble in Tokyo on 2nd June.

The draw for the 2012 PNC is as follows:

 

Round 1: Tuesday 5 June 2012, Nagoya Municipal Mizuho Park Rugby Ground, Nagoya

17:10hrs Samoa versus Tonga

19:10hrs Fiji versus Japan

 

Round 2: Sunday 10 June 2012, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo

12:10hrs Fiji versus Samoa

14:10hrs Japan versus Tonga

 

Round 3: Sunday 17 June 2012, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo

14:10hrs Samoa versus Japan

 

Saturday 23 June 2012, Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji

15:40hrs Fiji versus Tonga

 

Because Tonga will not have a game during the weekend of 16/17 June, the Japanese Rugby Union has graciously agreed to host Tonga in the lead up week to play Japan Juniors on Friday 15 June 2012 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo, with kick-off at 16:00hrs (4:00pm). 3

 

The ‘Ikale Tahi will therefore play three tests and one game against a senior national side over three weeks period.

 

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For further information please contact:

‘Aminiasi Kefu

Interim Executive Director Rugby

Tonga Rugby Union

Land Line: (676) 26045

Mobile: (676) 7715314