MLR trio in Tonga squad for November tests

Tonga have named a 30-man squad to travel north next month for their tests series against Romania, the USA, and Georgia. Included are Miami Sharks prop Tau Koloamatangi, San Diego Legion flanker Tupou Afungia, and NOLA Gold winger Taniela Filimone. The Ikale Tahi will square off against the Eagles in Chambéry, France, on Saturday, November 16.

Koloamatangi was part of the Tongan squad at the 2023 World Cup, but test rugby is new to Afungia and Filimone who debuted during this year’s Pacific Nations Cup. There are two other links to Major League Rugby. Former Rugby ATL prop Duane Aholelei is set for his first cap at the age of 35, while ex-Utah Warriors scrumhalf Johnny Ika will also make the trip with one cap on his resume.

Tevita Tu’ifua has selected four other new players. UK-based Justin Mataele joins brother Harison Mataele in the second row contingent. Moana Pasifika scrumhalf Siaosi Nginingini makes the trip, along with local backs Lolesio Sailosi and Poasi Tonga. The latter is called up from Moana’s under-20 side.

PROP
Duane Aholelei (Dubai Exiles, AE) uncapped
Jethro Felemi (GPS, AU) 12 caps
Tau Koloamatangi (Miami Sharks, US) 13 caps
Paula Latu (Southland, NZ) 2 caps
Ben Tameifuna (capt., Bordeaux Bègles, FR) 37 caps
Salesi Tuifua (Pakuranga, NZ) 2 caps

HOOKER
Sekope Lopeti-Moli (Moutere, NZ) 1 cap
Sam Moli (Moana Pasifika) 16 caps
Sefo Sakalia (Kolomotu’a) 20 caps

SECOND ROW
Adam Coleman (Bordeaux Bègles, FR) 5 caps
Kelemete Finau (Kumeu, NZ) 4 caps
Harison Mataele (Easts, AU) 8 caps
Justin Mataele (Bury St. Edmunds, UK) uncapped

BACK ROW
Tevita Ahokovi (Auckland Marist, NZ) 3 caps
Tupou Afungia (San Diego Legion, US) 3 caps
Sione Havili (Moana Pasifika) 13 caps
Lotu Inisi (Moana Pasifika) 6 caps

SCRUMHALF
Aisea Halo (Moana Pasifika) 8 caps
Johnny Ika (Hawke’s Bay, NZ) 1 cap
Siaosi Nginingini (Moana Pasifika) uncapped

FLYHALF
William Havili (Moana Pasifika) 13 caps
Patrick Pellegrini (Moana Pasifika) 9 caps

MIDFIELD
Fetuli Paea (Zebre, IT) 11 caps
Fine Inisi (Moana Pasifika) 13 caps
John Tapueluelu (Alhambra, NZ) 4 caps

OUTSIDE BACKS
Tima Fainga’anuku (North Harbour, NZ) 5 caps
Taniela Filimone (NOLA Gold, US) 1 cap
Lolesio Sailosi (Apifo’ou College) uncapped
Poasi Tonga (Junior Ikale Tahi) uncapped
Josiah Unga (Auckland Marist, NZ) 1 cap