The ‘Ikale Tahi selectors have included four new players in a 30-man squad for their Tests against the French Barbarians, Georgia and Wales in a tour of the Northern Hemisphere next month.
Siale Piutau will captain the side with four uncapped players selected for the campaign: props Ma’afu Fia and Tolu Fahamokioa; lock Sam Ulufonua and backs Latu Vaeno and Hawaii Ahokovi.
“They come into the team in place of veterans Siua Halanukonuka, Nasi Manu, Cooper Vuna, Nafi Tu’itavake and Telusa Veainu who are all unavailable due to injury,” a statement said.
“This test window is a key preparation step towards the World Cup in 2019 as we finalise team and staff selections for the tournament.
“The tour schedule begins next week with a Preparation Camp held in Madrid, Spain from October 28th-November 4th, 2018. With the November Test Match schedule as follows:
- November 10th: vs French Barbarians, Bordeaux, France
- November 17th: vs Wales, Cardiff, Wales.
- November 24th: vs Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia.
The team
| First Name | Last Name | Village | CLUB NAME |
| Latu | Talakai | Leimatu’a (Vv) | WAIKATO |
| Siegfried | Fisiihoi | Falaleu & ‘Utui (Vv) | STADE FRANCAIS |
| Paea | Faanunu | Leimatu’a (Vv) | CASTRES |
| Sefo | Sakalia | Ma’ufanga (Tt), Nomuka (Hp) & Uvea | MARIST |
| Paula | Ngauamo | Vaini, Kolomotu’a, Fasi & Kolofo’ou (Tt) | AGEN |
| Ma’afu | Fia | Ha’avakatolo, Holonga (tt) & Olo’ua (Vv) | OSPREYS |
| Tolu | Fahamokioa | Haveluloto (Tt) | TAWA RFC |
| Ben | Tameifuna | Pea (Tt) | RACING 92 |
| Sitiveni | Mafi | ‘Ahau (Tt) & Kolovai (Tt) | CASTRES |
| Leva | Fifita | Neiafu (Vv) | GRENOBLE |
| Sam | Ulufonua | Nukunuku, Ma’ufanga (Tt), Lofanga (Hp) & Taoa (Vv) | HAWKES BAY |
| Michael | Faleafa | Kolomotu’a & Kolovai (Tt) | PERPIGNAN |
| Sione | Kalamafoni | Matahau, Te’ekiu (Tt) & ‘Otea (Vv) | LEICESTER TIGERS |
| Valentino | Mapapalangi | Holonga & Ha’alalo (Tt) | LEICESTER TIGERS |
| Maama | Vaipulu | Folaha (Tt) | CASTRES |
| Dan | Faleafa | Kolomotu’a & Kolovai (Tt) | COVENTRY |
| Sione | Vailanu | Kolovai (Tt) | SARACENS |
| Fotu | Lokotui | Longoteme (Tt) | COUNTIES MANUKAU |
| Sonatane | Takulua | Lapaha, Ma’ufanga (Tt) & Niuatoputapu | NEWCASTLE FALCONS |
| Leon | Fukofuka | Ha’avakatolo, Fo’ui & Ha’alalo (Tt) | AUCKLAND |
| Kurt | Morath | Leimatu’a (Vv) | DONCASTER |
| Latiume | Fosita | Haveluloto (Tt) & Felemea (Hp) | COUNTIES MANUKAU |
| Siale | Piutau | Kolofo’ou & Folaha (Tt) | BRISTOL BEARS |
| Daniel | Kilioni | Uiha (Hp), Tafahi and Haveluloto (Tt) | GRENOBLE |
| Alaska | Taufa | Ha’ateiho (Tt) | GRENOBLE |
| Viliami | Lolohea | Navutoka (Tt) & Niuatoputapu | TASMAN |
| Hawaii | Ahokovi | Pangaimotu (Vv) | PAKURANGA |
| David | Halaifonua | Fatumu & Tukulalo, Houma (Vv) | COVENTRY |
| ‘Atieli | Pakalani | Ha’ateiho (Tt) & Feletoa (Vv) | NSW COUNTRY |
| Latu | Vaeno | Vaololoa (Tt) | TARANAKI |
The Staff
| ROLE | First Name (Team list) | Last Name (Team list) |
| Head Coach | Toutai | Kefu |
| Assistant Coach | Grant | Doorey |
| Assistant Coach | Dan | Cron |
| Assistant Coach | Pita | Alatini |
| Athletic Performance Coach | Semisi | Fonua |
| Team Doctor | Peni | Poloniati |
| Physiotherapist | Leevan | Santos |
| Physiotherapist | Saia | Vakasiuola |
| Analyst | Joh | Fifita |
| Team Manager | Lano | Fonua |
| Asst. Team Manager | Tony | Alatini |
| Team Chaplain | Tevita | Koloi |
| WR Consultant | Matt | Bair |
