Vuna named in Tonga squad

[AfakasiAssasin]

I think its great for Tonga that some of the Super rugby players are declaring their alegiance and availability (Taniela Moa, Halani Aulika and Siale Piutau). Adding to their depth will only strengthen an already impressive looking Tongan outfit, who may cause a suprise or two come rugby world cup. I think Moa must've personally approached Coach Maka personally to offer his services and apologise for his actions in 2009 for him to be included once again in the Tongan squad. When and why did Isitolo Maka say Alipate Fatafehi wouldnt get picked? As I said Tongas squad seems to be getting stronger and stronger as they're picking up steam in their RWC preparations. I hope that some of the Samoan Super rugby players who are eligible but havent made themselves available can follow suit and pledge alegiance just like some of the Tongans.

The 'Ikale Tahi goes into camp on the 4th​ of August. The 41 man Train on Squad is:

1. Soane Longopoa Tonga'uiha
2. Faka'ānaua ki 'Alisona Taumalolo
3. Kisi Pulu
4. Halani 'Aulika
5. Tonga Lea'aetoa
6. Taufa'ao Filise
7. 'Aleki 'Aho Lutui
8. Ephraim Taukafa
9. 'Aliosio 'Ilaisia Ma'asi
10. Semisi Fonua Telefoni
11. Joseph Mark Laifone Tu'ineau
12. Sione Lamipeti Ngalu Timani
13. Tukulua 'Atu Lokotui
14. Kelekolio Paino Hehea
15. Lisiate Fa'aoso
16. Joshua Lavamofa'oa Afu
17. Sione Ma'ake Kalamafoni
18. Viliami Suaesi Ma'afu
19. Tevita Haniteli Ula
20. Samiu Kaufusi Vahafolau
21. Viliami Pasuka Mapakaitolo
22. Finau Maka
23. Sione Fale ki he Fohe Vaiomo'unga
24. 'Osaiasi Pepa Veikune Koloamatangi
25. Thomas Ta'ufo'ou Palu
26. Samisoni Fisilau
27. Soane Patita Pat Boon Sioape Havea
28. 'Amanaki Vatikani
29. 'Unaloto ki Pulotu Vea Teutau (a.k.a Taniela Moa)
30. Kurt Stanley Morath
31. Andrew Kautonga Ma'ilei
32. Hudson Tonga'uiha
33. Alaska Nikolasi Taufa
34. Latu 'Alipate Fatafehi
35. Sukanaivalu Ikavuka Hufanga
36. Siale Vailea Piutau
37. Viliame Volavola 'Iongi
38. William Fetu'ufuka Ukumaki Aorere Helu
39. 'Etueni Siua
40. Mateo Vakatalau Malupo
41. Vungakoto Filimone Lilo
The 'Ikale Tahi team for the two Tests against Fiji will leave for Nadi on Tuesday 9th​ August 2011.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Why would Isitolo resign, its great hes worked things out with Taniela Moa. Tonga didnt have an international class Half back to say Soane Havea could keep up with the pace of the game against teams like The All Blacks would be a joke. His clearance from the ruck is slow as well as inaccurate (french Barbarians game and Japan Game where he constantly had to run himself out of danger) He is a live war and brings good energy, But just doesnt have the skills or fitness. Samisoni Fisilau is a good option, but still wouldnt be comfortable with him playing against France (assuming we play well enough to have a quarter final berth playoff).So im glad Taniela Moa has worked things out with Isitolo Maka, Players have been forgiven for alot worst.

Im guessing he has recalled Aleki Lutui, because he does not have a 3rd hooker (probably sees Telefoni as a prop) and after trying Antonio Halangahu he probably doesnt see the two as international standard. I wouldnt mind Telefoni going to the world cup as the 3rd hooker option.

 

[brynylon]

But will they be available for Tonga ever again?"The World Cup is a great drawcard.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Why bother pick Soane Tonga'uiha or Finau Maka then ? They only show up for World Cups ( probably to help increase options regarding contracts), But no one seems to mind. For Tonga to play as well as we possibly can we need our BEST available. Taniela Moa is Tongas best HalfBack available at the moment. Big concern for me is Tonga did not give Pepa Koloamtangi(The only openside specialist) any game time during the PNC. Which probably means Finau Maka will captain and play openside flanker at the World Cup. Read an article stating Finau Maka now plays 5th Div rugby in France, just not confident he will bring anythign else, But leadership and experience. Reminds me of the Springboks and the situation with John Smit, better players available, but they arent sure if they wanna give up the experience and leadership Smith brings.

 

[brynylon]

On what basis do you gauge Moa as the best Tongan halfback?On reputation?Or on performance?Or on loyalty to Tonga?
Moa has never put his hand up for Tonga before.But now his standing in New Zealand Super Rugby is zero(ie.no contract offered)any he can only get a low value contract with Pau in D2 France,his supporters push for his inclusion.So there is no loyalty to Tonga-only to himself!He is an opportunist.The worst thing is that the other players see it this way too!
As for Maka to resign,he has no credibility with the players now.As recent as 22 July in the Bay of Plenty Times,Moa stated that the door to Tonga was shut-Maka told him that.
So why the change-Maka got rolled by others of greater influence!He now has no credibility with his players.

 

[brynylon]

You are right about Koloamatangi-he is there best hope at 7.Maka is now too slow for the game the way the Blacks and Aussies play-thats why they are 1 and 2 in the rankings.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Im not sure of all the details im hoping Moa's inclusion will not disrupt the team's preperations. I still do feel he is our best option, unlike Fisialu hes played Super Rugby, and has been in good form during the ITM Cup. Fisilau plays ITMP Cup, but doesnt stand out at the level as much as Moa does and has only been invilved in developement programs. Soane Havea on the other hand was one of the few players not to get a contract anywhere after the last World Cup. Even on the Northern Hemisphere tour last year he wasnt offered anything( players are usually spotted on tours and World Cups). I think Moas Delivery will Give Kurt Morath more time then any of the other Half Backs available as well.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

On what basis do you gauge Moa as the best Tongan halfback?On reputation?Or on performance?Or on loyalty to Tonga?
Moa has never put his hand up for Tonga before.But now his standing in New Zealand Super Rugby is zero(ie.no contract offered)any he can only get a low value contract with Pau in D2 France,his supporters push for his inclusion.So there is no loyalty to Tonga-only to himself!He is an opportunist.The worst thing is that the other players see it this way too!
As for Maka to resign,he has no credibility with the players now.As recent as 22 July in the Bay of Plenty Times,Moa stated that the door to Tonga was shut-Maka told him that.
So why the change-Maka got rolled by others of greater influence!He now has no credibility with his players.

Whats to say he didnt approach coach Maka personally and asked him for forgiveness and that he genuinly wants to be commited to Tonga? Politics or no Politics Moa will be an asset for Tonga and although Havea may seem to be the most commited of all Tonga's half backs, his distribution can be quite aweful at times. In preparing for the RWC you need the best, and IMO Moa is their best choice at halfback.

 

[brynylon]

Thats of course if Morath plays.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Just noticed no Steve Mafi...trying to remember if he played during the Churchill Cup?? He won a few player of the month awards with leicester...Not a big concern as the depth at lock is looking good, but would still be a solid player to have in the squad.

 

[IKALETAHI]

Moa looked in awesome form today creating a try and scoring one for Bay of Plenty as he did last week.

 

[psychic duck]

I'm very pleased to see Piutau still in the squad, I thought he had pulled out like the Super Rugby players Vuna, Pakalani and Timani obviously have done after they were named in the initial squad

Taniela Moa in the squad is great news! Is there any last ditch hope for Nili Latu and Hale T-Pole now?

it's a shame Steve Mafi isn't there, but Tonga have lock covered anyway

 

[psychic duck]

My World Cup 30

1. Soane Tonga'uiha
2. Ephraim Taukafa
3. Kisi Pulu
4. Paino Hehea
5. Joe Tu'ineau
6. Vili Ma'afu
7. Finau Maka
8. Samiu Vahafolau
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Viliame Iongi
12. Andrew Ma'ilei
13. Alipate Fatafehi
14. Siale Piutau
15. Vunga Lilo

16. Aleki Lutui
17. Sona Taumalolo
18. Lisiate Fa'aoso
19. Sione Kalamafoni
20. Samisoni Fisilau
21. Tomasi Palu
22. William Helu

23. Taufa'ao Filise
24. Ilaisa Ma'asi
25. Josh Afu
26. Sione Timani
27. Lua Lokotui
28. Suka Hufanga
29. Alaska Taufa
30. Mateo Malupo

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

My Tonga Rugby World Cup 30 man squad

1. Soane Tonga'uiha
2. Ephraim Taukafa
3. Kisi Pulu
4. Paino Hehea
5. Joe Tu'ineau
6. Viliami Ma'afu
7. Osaiasi Koloamatangi
8. Samiu Vahafolau
9. Taniela Moa
10. Kurt Morath
11. Viliame Iongi
12. Andrew Mailei
13. Alipate Fatafehi
14. Siale Piutau
15. Vunga Lilo

16. Ilaisa Ma'asi
17. Sona Taumalolo
18. Sione Timani
19. Sione Kalamafoni
20. Samisoni Fisilau
21. Tomasi Palu
22. Mateo Malupo

23. Halani Aulika
24. Semisi Telefoni
25. Lisiate Fa'aoso
26. Finau maka
27. Suka Hufanga
28. Etueni Siua
29. Hudson Tonga'uiha
30. William Helu

Unlucky to miss the cut
Taufa'ao Filise, Aleki Lutui, Tukulua Lokotui, Josh Afu, Pasuka Mapakaitolo, Alaska Taufa.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

I'm very pleased to see Piutau still in the squad, I thought he had pulled out like the Super Rugby players Vuna, Pakalani and Timani obviously have done after they were named in the initial squad

Taniela Moa in the squad is great news! Is there any last ditch hope for Nili Latu and Hale T-Pole now?

it's a shame Steve Mafi isn't there, but Tonga have lock covered anyway

Time is running out. There is still time though, if Moa can be forgiven then there is hope I suppose for them. Hale T-Pole may find it hard to break into the squad but IMO Nili should walk into the starting openside spot if they reinstate him into the team. Unlikely though but heres hoping.

 

[Tau tahi]

Maka has also announced Fetu'u Vainikolo will be attending the camp.Moa and Halani Aulika have already made clear to their teams they are leaving for Tonga.

 

[brynylon]

Another opportunist-didnt want to be in the team last year.Come World Cup,hes available.Why?Hes a huge liability on defence.Do you wonder why he plays for the lowest team in Ireland Connacht.No one else wanted him!

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Another opportunist-didnt want to be in the team last year.Come World Cup,hes available.Why?Hes a huge liability on defence.Do you wonder why he plays for the lowest team in Ireland Connacht.No one else wanted him!

I dont see why your being soo negative about your team all the time. They are playing relatively well as of late and I wouldve thought you would pleased that more players are making themselves available for Tonga even if just for the RWC. Id be over the moon if as many Samoan super rugby players would make themselves available for the Manu Samoa in time for the RWC.

 

[brynylon]

Im not negative to my team-Im telling you how some of the players feel about these "jonny come latelys"I think they have been the negative to Tonga.Both Moa and Vainikolo were approached last year for PNC.Not interested!World Cup comes up-a chance to get on the big stage-now we are interested.Really.Worse still Tonga has selected them.Not a good look to encourage team unity.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Im not negative to my team-Im telling you how some of the players feel about these "jonny come latelys"I think they have been the negative to Tonga.Both Moa and Vainikolo were approached last year for PNC.Not interested!World Cup comes up-a chance to get on the big stage-now we are interested.Really.Worse still Tonga has selected them.Not a good look to encourage team unity.

I guess my theory is, if it can make the team stronger including 'jonny come lately's' then better late than never.