50 Players for ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach

Posted by admin in Media Releases, RWC 2011, Tournaments      No comments

May
3

Wednesday 20 April 2011

50 Players for ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach

A squad of fifty (50) players was today announced by ‘Isitolo Maka, ‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach as part of the ‘Ikale Tahi preparation in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2011.

The 50 is a mixture of local and overseas based players with opportunities to perform at the Churchill Cup, the IRB Pacific Nations Cup and the 2 test matches against Fiji.

1. Soane Tonga’uiha

2. Alisona Taumalolo

3. Kisi Pulu

4. Tonga Lea’aetoa

5. Halani ‘Aulika

6. Maleko Latu

7. Tukulua Lokotui

8. Sitaleki Timani

9. ‘Emosi Kauhenga

10. Lisiate Fa’aoso

11. Paino Hehea

12. Joe Tu’ineau
13. Sione Kalamafoni

14.Sitiveni O. Mafi

15. Josh Afu

16. Samiu Vahafolau

17. Finau Maka

18. Viliami Ma’afu

19. Sione Timani

20. Ifalemi Taukafa

21. Antonio Halangahu

22. Semisi Telefoni

23. Ilaisa Ma’asi

24. Pepa Koloamatangi

25. Samisoni Fisilau

26. Daniel Morath

27. Etimoni Paea

28. Tomasi Palu

29. Soane Havea

30. Kurt Morath

31. Paula Kaho

32. Tevita Ula

33. Viliami Iongi

34. Mafile’o Kefu

35. Andrew Ma’ilei

36. Tomasi Sili

37. Alipate Fatafehi

38. Alaska Taufa

39. Viliami Helu

40. Atieli Pakalani

41. Tevita Halaifonua

42. Mateo Malupo

43. Vunagkoto Lilo

44. Cooper Vuna

45. Siale Piutau

46. Hudson Tonga’uiha

47. Silivenusi Taumoepeau

48. Taufa’ao Filise

49. Sione Fonua

50. Pasuka Mapakaitolo

At the conclusion of Churchill Cup, a final squad is required to be submitted to Rugby World Cup.

The final Rugby World Cup team of 30 players has to be named by the 22nd August 2011. With the representative program for the ‘Ikale Tahi in June, July and August, each of the players named above will have every opportunity to press for selection in the final 30.

END/NGATA’ANGA

Contact:
Melenaite Højelsen
Tel: +676 26-045
Fax: +676 26-044
Mob: +676 840-5383
Email: naite.hojelsen@tongarugbyunion.tbu.to

‘Ikale Tahi for the Churchill Cup, 3-19 June 2011

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May
3

Media Release Friday 15 April 2011

‘Ikale Tahi for the Churchill Cup

‘Isitolo Maka, Head Coach of the ‘Ikale Tahi, today released the names of the twenty eight players who will make up the National team to contest the Churchill Cup being held in the United Kingdom during June.

This is the first time Tonga or any other Pacific Island team has been invited into this tournament which traditionally is comprised of Northern Hemisphere teams.

The Churchill Cup tournament is contested in two pools of three teams. Tonga has the USA and England Saxons in its pool whilst the second pool is made up of Canada, Russia and Italy A. After the pool phase, first, second and third in each pool then play off for the Cup, Bowl and Plate.

‘Isitolo Maka said that he and his co-selectors have identified a wider squad of fifty players for consideration for the Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand later in the year and that the twenty eight selected for this tour were drawn from that squad. “Those players not included in this team will get their chance in July when the ‘Ikale Tahi contests the IRB Pacific Nations Cup”.

“With the Churchill Cup, the Pacific Nations Cup and two Test matches against Fiji during August we will have a very good lead in to the World Cup and the fifty players in the squad will have every opportunity to press their claims for selection in the final RWC team of thirty players” Isitolo said

The team will assemble in London on Friday, 3rd June 2011.

END/NGATA’ANGA

Contact:

Melenaite Højelsen

Tel: +676 26-045

Fax: +676 26-044

Mob: +676 840-5383

Email: naite.hojelsen@tongarugbyunion.tbu.to

‘Isitolo Maka & Toutai Kefu in Europe

Posted by admin in Media Releases, RWC 2011      2 comments

May
3

Media Release Friday 29th April 2011

Maka & Kefu in Europe

‘Ikale Tahi Head Coach ‘Isitolo Maka and newly appointed skills coach Toutai Kefu arrived in London today on a ten day whirlwind journey of France and the United Kingdom.

Whilst there they will meet up with Tonga’s European based National rugby players and also officials of clubs they play for, on a pre-Rugby World Cup briefing of players and fact finding mission.

Late this afternoon ‘Isitolo and Toutai will catch a flight to Bordeaux, France to start the French leg of their journey. From Bordeaux they will travel to Agen, Perpignan, Aix-en- Provence, Toulon and Lyon before heading back to the United Kingdom next Thursday evening to Manchester and London.

“Emails and phone calls are one thing but they can’t beat face to face meetings on such an important matter as Rugby World Cup preparations,” TRUA Chairman Bob Tuckey said. “Most importantly the coaches will take the opportunity to discuss with the players’ clubs the ‘Ikale Tahi timetable for tournament and camp assemblies and check on the players’ injury profile and conditioning programmes.”

‘Isitolo will travel direct from London to New Zealand where he will spend a number of days catching up with some of the New Zealand based players for the same purpose, before returning to Tonga.

The Southern Hemisphere contingent for the Churchill Cup will leave Tonga for London on the 1^st June 2011 as assembly in London is on the 3^rd June. Following the Churchill Cup, the ‘Ikale Tahi will participate in the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC), now scheduled to be held in Fiji. The change in venue was due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the north-east coast of Japan on March 11. The PNC will be held in Fiji from the 2-13 July between Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Japan.

ENDS

Contact:

Melenaite Højelsen

Tel: +676 26-045

Fax: +676 26-044

Mob: +676 840-5383

Email: naite.hojelsen@tongarugbyunion.tbu.to

TRUA Fundraising Appeal

Posted by admin in Fundraising, Media Releases      No comments

May
3

Tuesday 3^rd May 2011

TRUA Fundraising Appeal

The Tonga Rugby Union Authority commenced fundraising efforts for the ‘Ikale Tahi Rugby World Cup campaign on Saturday 9^th April 2011 with the Western District of Tongatapu 5 & 6 electoral constituencies. The National Team, ‘Ikale Tahi will be participating in the Churchill Cup, London in June, the Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji in July and a two test series with Fiji in August before the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September 2011.

The proceeds from the fundraising will go towards the costs associated with participation in these international matches prior to and during the tournaments. The appeal will be made to the villages in Tongatapu as well as the outer islands and also the Tongan communities abroad.

The first appeal was held in the Western district of Tongatapu with TRUA Director Fakahau Valu and ex-national player Rocky Fotu leading the charge from Ha’atafu, Kanokupolu, ‘Ahau, Kolovai, Ha’avakatolo, Fo’ui, Kala’au, Fahefa and Vaotu’u.

Deputy Chairman ‘Aminiasi Kefu and Talai Fifita brought the appeal through Masilamea, Te’ekiu, Matahau, Nukunuku, Matafonua, Fatai and Lakepa. Rev. Tevita Lataialakepa, TRUA Director and ex National player Rev. Peni Kaihau proceeded to visit the villages of Puke, Hofoa, Matalikufisi, Matangiake, Lomaiviti, ‘Utulau, Ha’akame, Ha’alalo and Houma to meet up and complete the appeal for the Western District.

The Chairman of the TRUA Fundraising Committee, Fakahau Valu stated that, “We are grateful for the support shown by the people of the Western District in this time of financial struggles. They give because they were rugby players, their fathers were rugby players and they have sons who are playing rugby and they love the game. We thank you very much.”

Over $5000 pa’anga was raised in the first appeal. The fundraising will continue to the Central District on Thursday 12 May, Eastern District on the 19^th May and the Town District on the 28^th May. In July, the fundraising will continue to the Tongan communities abroad of the US, Australia and New Zealand.