Tonga Rugby Union President, Epi Taione, has today announced the squad to contest the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. With a mixture of youth and experience, Tonga is set to face the challenges presented by four distinct and unique teams; Georgia, Namibia, Argentina and New Zealand.
Tonga Announces 2015 Rugby World Cup Squad
In a side which sees Pacific Nations Cup debutantes Telusa Veainu, Viliami Tahitu’a and Sosefo Ma’ake joining the campaign, there is also the addition of familiar names, including Gloucester duo David Halaifonua and Sione Kalamafoni, along with Samisoni Fisilau, Aleki Lutui, Paula Ngauomo, Will Helu, and Siale Piutau.
The full team is as follows:
Name Club Village
| TEVITA MAILAU | Perpignan | Felemea (Hp) & ‘Otea (Vv) |
| ALISONA TAUMALOLO | Grenoble | Ha’akame (Tt) & Holonga (Vv) |
| SOANE TONGA’UIHA | Oyonnax | Vaini (Tt) & Houma (Tt) |
| HALANI AULIKA | London Irish | ‘Ohonua (‘Eua) & Faleloa (Hp) |
| SILA PUAFISI | Gloucester | Ha’ateiho(Tt) & Longomapu (Vv) |
| ELVIS TAIONE | Exeter Chiefs | Kolomotu’a(Tt) & Ha’akio(Vv) |
| PAULA NGAUAMO | Mont de Marsan | Vaini, Kolomotu’s, Fasi & Kolofo’ou (Tt) |
| ALEKI LUTUI | Ampthill RFC | Tofoa (Tt) |
| TUKULUA LOKOTUI | Beziers | Ha’ateiho(Tt) & Mo’unga’one(Hp) |
| JOESEPH TUINEAU | Dax | Fasi Moe Afi ‘A Tungi (Tt) |
| STEVE MAFI | Western Force | ‘Ahau (Tt) & Kolovai (Tt) |
| OPETI FONUA | Leicester Tigers | Niutoua, Afa (Tt) & Tungua (Hp) |
| HALE T–POLE | Otago | Muitoa (Hp) & Fua’amotu (Tt) |
| NILI LATU | Newcastle Falcons | Afaa, ‘Eueiki, Ha’alalo, Pea (Tt) |
| JACK RAM | Auckland Blues | Ha’ateiho (Tt) |
| VILIAMI MA’AFU | Oyonnax | Kolovai (Tt), Neiafu (Vv), Niuatoputapu (Niua) |
| SIONE KALAMAFONI | Gloucester | Matahau, Te’ekiu (Tt) & ‘Otea (Vv) |
| SONATANE TAKULUA | Newcastle Falcons | Lapaha (Tt) |
| SAMISONI FISILAU | Jersey RFC | Longolongo (Tt) & Leimatu’a (Vv) |
| SOSEFO MA’AKE | Havelu Bulldogs | Feletoa (Vv) & Haveluloto (Tt) |
| KURT MORATH | Biarritz | Leimatu’a & Falevai (Vv) |
| LATIUME FOSITA | Doncaster | Haveluloto (Tt) & Felemea (Hp) |
| SIONE PIUKALA | Perpignan | Futu (‘Eua) & Houma (Tt) |
| SIALE PIUTAU | Yamaha | Kolofo’ou & Foloha (Tt) |
| VILIAMI TAHITU’A | Northland | Te’ekiu (Tt) & Falaleu (Vv) |
| FETU’U VAINIKOLO | Oyonnax | Ha’alalo (Tt) |
| TELUSA VEAINU | Melbourne Rebels | Matahau (Tt) & Longolongo (Tt) |
| TEVITA HALAIFONUA | Gloucester | Tukulalo, Houma (Vv) & Fatumu (Tt) |
| WILLIAM HELU | Edinburgh | Fasi, Pahu (Tt) & Foa (Hp) |
| VUNGAKOTO LILO | Montauban | Koula (Hp) & Foa (Hp) |
Officials:
| Mana Otai | HEAD COACH | |
| Tevita Tuifua | ASSISTANT COACH | |
| Jim McKay | ATTACK COACH | |
| Marco Caputo | SCRUM COACH | |
| Semisi Fonua | STRENGTH & CONDITIONER | |
| Peter Harding | GM HIGH PERFORMANCE | |
| Sioape Tuiomo | TEAM MANAGER | |
| Fakaosi Pifileti | DOCTOR | |
| Mavae ‘Otumuli | PHYSIO | |
| Megan Sturley | PHYSIO | |
| Kyle Willoughby | MEDIA MANAGER | |
| Scott Anderson | VIDEO ANALYST | |
| Joh Fifita | VIDEO ANALYST | |
| Lano Fonua | LOGISTICS MANAGER | |
| Siaosi Faka’osi | TEAM OPERATIONS COORDINATOR |
The team has gathered in England for a training camp in Surrey as part of the preparatons for the Rugby World Cup. Manager Sioape Tu’iono stressing the need to look at the tournament as something Tonga wants to be in right to the end.
World Rugby has confirmed there are still tickets available for matches in the series, including Tonga’s clash with Argentina in Leicester, which is available on the official World Rugby ticketing site.
Tonga’s first pool game is 12:00pm 18 September against Georgia at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, with an official welcome scheduled at Cheltenham Town Hall on 10 September.
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