Tongan rugby players who were in Fiji to play in the World Rugby Pacific Rugby Challenge (PRC) this Friday will wear black armbands to honour Queen Mother.
Queen Mother Halaevalu Mataʻaho, 90, died in Auckland on February 19 and she was the mother of Tonga’s current king.
The team were planning to win the tournament as part of their show of respect to the matriarch.
The team is made up of 19 local players and nine overseas players, four from Australia and five from New Zealand.
After playing against the Fiji Warriors this weekend they will face the Samoa A on 14 March, then against the Junior Japan on 18 March.
Coach Isi Fatani told Fiji media they were expecting the weekend’s game to be a tough one.
“The team has been preparing for the past two months for the competition. We have only six players who played for Tonga last year while the others are new to the team,” Fiji Times has reported.
“We are looking forward to the tough competition as we know Fiji has always been a tough team to beat, especially playing at home.”
“This team is better prepared for the challenges ahead. We have a number of quality players compared with last year,” he told Fiji Times.
Tonga A and Fjii Warriors match will kick off at 5.30pm on Friday half and hour after the match between the Junior Japan and Samoa would begin.
Tonga A:
- Sione Lolohea
- Leiataua Kilifi
- Roy Pome’e
- Sailosi Malimali
- Sosaia Masima
- Duane ‘Aholelei
- Siaosi Nginingini
- Charlie Pahulu
- Vainanuma Manu
- Katilimoni Tu’ipulotu
- Timote Paseka
- Frederick Kei
- Halafo’ou ‘Akau’ola Laula
- Topui Sekona
- Constantin Nova Kauvaka
- Samiu Muna
- John Ika
- Sosefo Fahiua
- Fe’aomoeuasi Hui
- Christino Manuolevao
- Fe’ofa’aki Kaumavae
- ‘Oleni Ngungutau
- James Faiva
- Vai Hausia
- Tu’ihakavalu Ika
- Paki afu
- Sione Loseni
- Alfred Hausia
‘Isileli Fatani, Head Coach
Sione Fetuani, Assistant Coach – Backs Coach
Sione Lino, Team Manager
Duke Mataka, Team Doctor
Siosaia Vakasiuola, Team Physio
Semisi Fonua, Trainer
Joh Fifita, Performance/video Analyst
