Tonga names World Cup squad

Toutai Kefu has named his 31-man traveling squad to represented Tonga at the Rugby World Cup. Included are ten returnees from RWC 2015 and one uncapped player. The newcomer is young hooker Siua Maile who has been plucked out of New Zealand club rugby.

Aside from Maile, there are six who did not appear in the Pacific Nations Cup. Loosehead prop pair Vunipola Fifita and Siegfried Fisi’ihoi are both added, the latter missing out on the PNC due to injury. Veteran flyhalf Kort Morath is named to his third World Cup, and No8 Nasi Manu is on track to recover from his pectoral injury in time.

The most significant arrivals come from Leicester. Tigers pair Sione Kalamafoni and Telusa Veainu were both starters four years ago and are expected to be again in Japan. Kalamafoni was on the bench against Fiji this past weekend while Veainu could make his return for the Ikale Tahi opposite New Zealand in the final warm-up on Saturday.

Among those left out are veteran Exeter hooker Elvis Taione, new Wasps No8 Sione Vailanu, and utility back Latiume Fosita. Clermont prop Loni Uhila, Cardiff Blues centre Willis Halaholo, and Sunwolves winger Hosea Saumaki are uncapped eligibles who have seemingly not made themselves available.

Tonga have been drawn in Pool C along with Argentina, England, France, and the USA. They will face off against Los Pumas on September 28  and the Eagles on October 13, both in Osaka.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Vunipola Fifita (Brumbies, AU), Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (Stade Français, FR), Latu Talakai (Eastwood, AU), Siua Maile (Shirley, NZ), Paula Ngauamo (Agen, FR), Sefo Sakalia (Asia Pacific Dragons, SG), Ma’afu Fia (Ospreys, UK), Siua Halanukonuka (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92), Leva Fifita (Grenoble, FR), Sam Lousi (Hurricanes, NZ), Steve Mafi (Castres, FR), Dan Faleafa (Coventry, UK), Sione Kalamafoni (Leicester Tigers, UK), Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty, NZ), Fotu Lokotui (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Nasi Manu (Benetton Treviso, IT), Ma’ama Vaipulu (Castres, FR)

BACKS
Sami Fisilau (Auckland Marist, NZ), Leon Fukofuka (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons, UK), James Faiva (El Salvador, SP), Kurt Morath (Doncaster Knights, UK), Mali Hingano (Stade Français, FR), Siale Piutau (capt., Bristol Bears, UK), Cooper Vuna (Bath, UK), Nafi Tu’itavake (Northampton Saints, UK), Viliami Lolohea (Papatoetoe, NZ), Afa Pakalani (Eastwood, AU), David Halaifonua (Coventry, UK), Telusa Veainu (Leicester Tigers, UK)