Iongi to play for Tonga in June

San Francisco winger Pila Iongi has been recalled to Tonga’s national team for their June test series against Fiji, Samoa, and Georgia. The return to international rugby comes three years after his last cap, won against Fiji in June of 2013. Iongi joined PRO Rugby in April after departing from a two-year stint with Greene King IPA Championship club Nottingham.

Former Wallaby Toutai Kefu has taken over the coaching duties for the Island nation and has selected a group of 28 players spanning multiple continents. Only 11 members of the 2015 World Cup squad are present, with a number unavailable due to injury or personal reasons. Newcastle Falcons loose forward Nili Latu will again captain the side that also includes Falcons teammate Tane Takulua and Western Force lock Steve Mafi.

A total of 11 new players are yet to be capped at international level. Notable newcomers include former Chiefs and current Racing 92 prop Ben Tameifuna, Otago Razorbacks no8 Mika Mafi, and former New Zealand 7s squad member Nafi Tuitavake. The latter has opted to switch his allegiance to Tonga via the Olympic 7s loophole, and made his debut on the Tongan shirt at the Oceania Sevens in November.

The Tongans are also hoping to add European-based trio Daniel Halangahu (Narbonne), Atieli Pakalani (Carcassonne), and Cooper Vuna (Worcester Warriors) to their squad for the final match against Samoa. All three have previously represented Australia but are awaiting clearance to switch to Tonga for the Olympic repechage tournament in Monaco, which would then allow them to join the Ikale Tahi test side.

FORWARDS
Sione Faletau (Canterbury, NZ), Leo Halavatau (London Irish, UK), Sione Lea (Taranaki, NZ), Sila Puafisi (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92, FR), Sione Anga’aelangi (Counties Manukau, NZ), Elvis Taione (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Daniel Faleafa (Albi, FR), Uili Kolo’ofai (Jersey, UK), Steve Mafi (Western Force, AU), Viliami Fihaki (Sale Sharks, UK), Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester, UK), Nili Latu (capt., Newcastle Falcons, UK), Mikaele Mafi (Otago Razorbacks, NZ), Jack Ram (Blues, NZ), Sione Tau (Agen, FR)

BACKS
Wayne Ngaluafe (West Harbour, AU), Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Latiume Fosita (Papatoetoe, NZ), Martin Naufahu (Footscray, AU), Vili Hakalo (Nottingham, UK), Apakuki Ma’afi (Randwick, AU), Viliami Tahitu’a (Yamaha Jubilo, JP), Pila Iongi (San Francisco, US), Daniel Kilioni (Grenoble, FR), Nafi Tuitavake (Narbonne, FR), Tevita Halaifonua (Gloucester, UK), Otulea Katoa (Edinburgh, UK)

FIXTURES
Jun 11 – 15:00 local – vs Fiji, Suva
Jun 18 – 12:00 local – vs Georgia, Suva
Jun 25 – 15:00 local – vs Samoa, Apia