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Utah Warriors goal kicker Kurt Morath is a surprise inclusion in the Tonga squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup. The 33-year-old is one of only two players in the squad with 30 or more caps along with Bristol midfielder Siale Piutau but has not been seen in an Ikale Tahi shirt since the 2015 World Cup. With Major League Rugby currently mid-season he could miss the final two games of the regular season.
All 30 players in the squad play outside of the Pacific Island nation. Clubs from Australia, France, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, Italy, England, Japan, and the USA are represented. Eight members of the 2015 World Cup squad are present.
There are six uncapped players named including three props in Vunipola Fifita, David Lolohea, and David Feao. Benetton Treviso loose forward Nasi Manu is set to win his first cap as are New Zealand-based wingers Sione Fifita and Viliami Lolohea.
This year’s Pacific Nations Cup will include invitational side Georgia who will play Tonga and Fiji before departing to play Japan. Tonga will face Fiji on June 23 in a test match that will not count towards the two-round competition.
FORWARDS
Vunipola Fifita (South Districts, AU), Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (Stade Francais, FR), David Lolohea (West Harbour, AU), Sione Lea (Taranaki, NZ), Paul Ngauamo (Agen, FR), Sefo Sakalia (Steaua Bucuresti, RO), Paea Fa’anunu (Castres, FR), David Feao (Narbonne, FR), Siua Halanukonuka (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Leva Fitita (Grenoble, FR), Steve Mafi (Castres, FR), Joe Tu’ineau (Dax, FR), Daniel Faleafa (Colomiers, FR), Mike Faleafa (Perpignan, FR), Fotu Lokotui (Counties Manukau, NZ), Nasi Manu (Benetton Treviso, IT), Valentino Mapapalangi (Leicester Tigers, UK), Ma’ama Vaipulu (Castres, FR)
BACKS
Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Suke Tu’umoto’oa (NEC Green Rockets, JP), Kurt Morath (Utah Warriors, US), George Taina (Counties Manukau, NZ), Latiume Fosita (Counties Manukau, NZ), Siale Piutau (Bristol, UK), Nafi Tuitavake (Northampton Saints, UK), Sione Fifita (Counties Manukau, NZ), Penikolo Latu (Waikato, NZ), Viliami Lolohea (Tasman, NZ), Cooper Vuna (Bath, UK), Tevita Halaifonua (Gloucester, UK)
