Argentina Pool Opponents, Tonga Name RWC Squad

A day after Argentina’s Rugby World Cup squad was named the team’s Pool C rivals, Tonga have confirmed their player roster for the twenty-team tournament. Included are no fewer than twenty players involved in the recent Pacific Nations Cup in which Tonga finished third.

Currently ranked 10th in the world Tonga will play in a seventh World Cup, having only not been a part of the second tournament in 1991. Ranked ahead of Tonga in Pool C are New Zealand and Argentina who are positioned 1st and 8th respectively. The 13th and 20th placed Georgia and Namibia complete the Pool.

Tonga’s goal is to reach the Quarter Finals for the first time. This would involve a major upset against either New Zealand or Argentina, something the Pacific Islanders are not afraid of trying. Indeed in Rugby World Cup 2011 Tonga recovered from a loss against Canada to defeat France who made it all the way to the final losing by a solitary point at Auckland’s Eden Park.

All of Tonga’s opponents will need to bring their game to match Tonga and the roster named is very much one in which size and experience are the highlights. Head Coach Mana Otai has retained the aging Nili Latu as captain. The 33 year old is, however, notably younger than Tukulua Lokotui, Aleki Lutui, Joe Tuineau and Hale T-Pole with Lutui being aged 37.

Lutui is one of eleven English based players but is one of three based in the country not involved in the Aviva Premiership. Similarly seven of the eleven French based players do not play for Top 14 teams. Scrumhalf Ma’ake Sosefo, meanwhile, is unique in being the only Tongan based player on the roster.

The Ikale Tahi have already arrived in England for a training camp in Surrey and are to face English second division side Nottingham on August 28 before playing Romania in Bucharest on September 05.

Tonga’s World Cup campaign will kick-off against Georgia on day two of the tournament. After playing the match in Gloucester the Ikali Tahi will face Namibia in Exeter and Argentina in Leicester before finishing up against the 2011 Champions New Zealand in Newcastle.

Only 30 players have been named in the squad, with one remaining to be added. Rugby league player Andrew Fifita, who has represented both Tonga and Australia in the 13-man code, has been heavily rumoured as a possible inclusion.

FORWARDS
Halani Aulika (London Irish), Tevita Mailau (Perpignan), Sila Puafisi (Gloucester), Sona Taumalolo (Racing), Soane Tonga’uiha (Oyonnax), Aleki Lutui (Gloucester), Paul Ngauamo (Oyonnax), Elvis Taione (Exeter), Opeti Fonua (London Welsh), Lua Lokotui (Beziers), Steve Mafi (Western Force), Joe Tu’ineau (Lyon), Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester), Nili Latu (capt., Life West), Jack Ram (Northland), Viliami Ma’afu (Oyonnax), Hale T-Pole (Harbour Hawks)

BACKS
Samisoni Fisilau (Jersey), Sosefo Ma’ake (Havelu), Tane Takulua (Newcastle), Latiume Fosita (Doncaster), Kurt Morath (Biarritz), Sione Piukala (Perpignan), Siale Piutau (Yamaha), Viliami Tahitu’a (Northland), Viliami Helu (Wasps), Fetu’u Vainikolo (Exeter), Telusa Veainu (Melbourne Rebels), Tevita Halaifonua (Gloucester), Vungakoto Lilo (Tarbes)