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Tonga wins over Georgia 23 – 9

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The ‘Ikale-Tahi began its End of Year tour to Europe with a victory at the Mikheil Meshki Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia this morning.

‘Ikale-Tahi scored 23 against Georgia which they only scored 9.

Tonga’s 23 points came from two tries by Taniela Moa and one by  Vungakoto Lilo, one conversion by  Latiume Fositā and two penalty kicks by Kurt Morath.

Georgia’s scores were made up with three penalty kicks by their fullback, Merab Kvirikashvili.

The teams,

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 David Halaifonua, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Hemani Paea, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joe Tu’ineau, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Sila Puafisi, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Tevita Mailau.

Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Siua Halanukonuka, 18 Paea Fa’anunu, 19 Lisiate Fa’aoso, 20 Hale T Pole, 21 Taniela Moa, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 Otulea Katoa.

Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Irakli Machkhaneli, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 9 Giorgi Begadze, 8 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 7 Viktor Kolelishvili, 6 Giga Tkhilaishvili, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Konstantin Mikautadze, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.

Replacements: 16 Simon Maisuradze, 17 Zurabi Zhvania, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Giorgi Nemsadze, 20 Lasha Lomidze, 21 Vazha Khutsishvili, 22 Lasha Malaguradze, 23 Sandro Todua.

Maumau dies suddenly at Baker University

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A Tongan man who was at his second year at Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas in the United States died suddenly on October 29.

Sione Viliami Maumau was found dead in the Irwin Hall dormitory building.

The University says the investigation is ongoing and officials are waiting for autopsy results to determine the cause of death. No foul play is suspected, it says.

Maumau is the son of Viliami and Michele Maumau. He has three siblings, Siaosi (20), Marakai (17), and Tabitha (15).

He played football at Valor Christian High School, where he helped the Eagles win 4 state championships.

17 million funded-project underway to rebuild Haʻapai

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The electricity network and school facilities damaged by Cyclone Ian in Ha’apai early this year are currently rebuilt through a TP$17 million funded-project that majorly contributed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the New Zealand government.

The fund came from a TP$9 million granted by ADB, TP$6.5 million funded by the New Zealand government and TP$1.67 million contributed by Tonga Power Ltd.

The Tongan government contributed to the project with what it described as “in-kind” contribution.

TP$5,326,020.00  of the grant would go to the restoration of the electricity network.

The project began on Friday, October 31 in the village of Koulo and it would include “removal of materials containing asbestos from damaged buildings”, Tonga Power says.

A crew of nine Tonga Power staff including linesmen and mechanics were sent from Tongatapu to Ha’apai to work on the project.

It was expected to take  around twelve months before completion and would involve a significant number of lines and Project Management staff, said John van Brink, CEO of Tonga Power Limited.

The equipment and materials for the construction arrived in Ha’apai on Wednesday, 29 October 2014. Some of the equipment were:

– One bucket truck to be used by the linesmen

– One crane truck to be used for drilling

– One Ute to transport the materials for the project to the construction areas

– ABC drums to renew the power lines at Ha’apai

– Meter boxes for the project

The power poles for the project were shipped to Pangai, Ha’apai in March 2014 as part of the New Zealand Government’s contribution.

“Earlier this year, Tropical Cyclone Ian destroyed 90% of the power lines and power poles on Ha‟apai leaving more than 900 customers without power and over 75% of homes severely destroyed in the powerful storm”.

Kahoua teenager dies after allegedly huffing “ados glue”

By
Kaniva Pacific
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An 18-year-old male teenager from Kahoua allegedly died this week from inhaling “ados glue”.

The deceased was one of four young men believed to have been in the ages of 15, 16 and 18.

“…the chemical from the glue, had damaged the young man’s kidney, lungs, and liver,” Radio & Television Tonga news quoted Dr. Seventeen Toumo’ua as saying.

Only two of the men were admitted to Vaiola hospital including the deceased.

Concerns are growing for the well-being of the rest of the men who have yet to seek medical help from hospital.

Tongan man dies in Utah after fleeing police

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Two men fleeing police died after their car crashed into a vacant home causing fire early Friday morning, October 31 at Poplar Street in Price, Utah, United States.

A Carbon County deputy sheriff reportedly said Taukatelata Solomone Faulua, a 24-year-old Tongan who lived in West Valley,  and Guy Nelson Tsosie, 34, of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, were identified as victims killed in the crash.

A sheriff deputy arrived to find two  men fighting outside a parking lot outside The Tuscan, a restaurant near 100 N. and Carbon Ave,  fox13now.com reports.

The victims fled the scene prompting a pursuit with Police that ended in the fatal crash.

Both men died inside the burning car, according to report.

Malakai Fekitoa dropped from All Blacks side to face England

By
Kaniva Pacific
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All Backs coach Steve Hansen left Fekitoa out of his 23-man squad to play England at Twickenham this Saturday 8 November. (Kick-off: 2.30PM UKT, 3.30AM Sunday 9 November NZT).

Fekitoa has been given another week off to rest after what Hansen described as a “massive” season for the Highlanders midfielder, according to New Zealand Herald.

All Blacks statement says “the matchday squad that takes the field against England has 1,029 Test caps between them and an average age of 27 years”.

The team is:

Starting XV:

  1. Wyatt Crockett (33)
  2. Dane Coles (24)
  3. Owen Franks (65)
  4. Brodie Retallick (34)
  5. Samuel Whitelock (60)
  6. Jerome Kaino (54)
  7. Richie McCaw – captain (134)
  8. Kieran Read (70)
  9. Aaron Smith (36)
  10. Aaron Cruden (36)
  11. Julian Savea (30)
  12. Sonny Bill Williams (20)
  13. Conrad Smith (83)
  14. Ben Smith (35)
  15. Israel Dagg (45)

Reserves:

  1. Keven Mealamu (121)
  2. Ben Franks (39)
  3. Charlie Faumuina (24)
  4. Patrick Tuipulotu (5)
  5. Liam Messam (37)
  6. TJ Perenara (8)
  7. Beauden Barrett (26)
  8. Ryan Crotty (10)

‘Īkale-Tahi name team for Georgia.

By
Kaniva Pacific
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ʻĪkale-Tahi head coach Mana ʻŌtai has named his team to play Georgia as Tonga’s End of Year tour will start in Tbilisi at 5:00pm this Saturday,  November 8.

The ‘Ikale Tahi team selected is as follows:

 

Number Name Village Club
1 Tevita Mailau Felemea (Hp) and ‘Ōtea (Vv) Mont De Marsan (Fr)
2 Aleki Lutui Tofoa Gloucester (UK)
3 Sila Puafisi Ha’ateiho and Longomapu (Vv) Gloucester (UK)
4 Tukulua Lokotui Ha’ateiho and Mounga’one (Hp) Montpelier (Fr)
5 Joe Tu’ineau Fasi-moe-afi Lyon (Fr)
6 Sione Kalamafoni Matahau Gloucester (UK)
7 Nili Latu Afā NEC Rockets (Jp)
8 Viliami Ma’afu Kolovai Oyonnax (Fr)
9 Sonatane Takulua Lapaha Northland (NZ)
10 Kurt Morath
11 Fetu’u Vainikolo Ha’alalo Exeter (UK)
12 Hemani Paea Neiafu (Vv) Oyonnax (Fr)
13 Siale Piutau Kolofo’ou and Folaha Yamaha (Jp)
14 David Halaifonua Fātumu and Tu’anikivale (Vv) Bergirac (Fr)
15 Vungakoto Lilo Koulo (Hp) and Foa (Hp) Tarbes Pyrenees (Fr)
Reserves
16 Elvis Taione Tu’atākilangi and Ha’akio (Vv) Exeter Chiefs (UK)
17 Siua Halanukonuka Tasman (NZ)
18 Paea Fa’anunu Castre (Fr)
19 Lisiate Fa’aoso Holonga Bayonne (Fr)
20 Hale T Pole Muitoa and Fu’amotu Otago (NZ)
21 Taniela Moa Fātumu and ‘Ohonua (Eua) Pau (Fr)
22 Latiume Fosita Haveluloto and Felemea (Hp) Northland (NZ)
23 Otulea Katoa Haveluloto Southland (NZ)

 

 

Sione Sisifā is Tonga's solicitor general

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The lawyer who was instrumental in putting murderers behind bars for the man slaughter of the New Zealand Police officer Kali Fungavaka has been appointed as Tonga’s Solicitor General.

Sione Sisifā, a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of Fiji was appointed to the post on 31 October 2014, a position he currently holds, Crown Law office says.

It says the Solicitor General is responsible for all legal matters referred by the Government and the Cabinet to the Crown Law Department and has appeared on behalf of the Government in a wide range of legal cases.

However, the main areas of practice that the Solicitor General has been involved with has been in the areas of public law, criminal law, commercial law and international law.

Sisifa, 39, joined the Crown Law Department in 2000, after having graduated with an LLB from the University of the South Pacific.

'Īkale-Tahi train under Jake White

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga’s national rugby team trained at the University of Central Lancashire on Friday 31 under their new technical adviser, Jake White.

The ‘Īkale-Tahi team are in England as part of their End of Year Tour to Europe where they will perform three test matches.

Mana Ōtai, the head coach, was hopeful this tour will be different after they received a massive opportunity to work  closely with the professionals and got feed back from coaching staff at the university.

Mana said  it was a great blessing for the ʻĪkale-Tahi to have Jake White with them during the tour.

White, who guided South Africa to the 2007 World Cup, was pictured training with ʻĪkale-Tahi players in Lancashire.

The ‘Ikale-Tahi, keen for a fresh start after the New Zealand’s Chief prop Ben Tameifuna withdrew from Tonga’s tour to fight in a charity boxing bout with rugby league player Willie Mason in December, have just arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia on Monday.

The Tongan team  will play Georgia on Saturday 8 November, The USA on Saturday 15 November and Scotland on Saturday 22 November.

New government funding pays allowance for ‘Īkale-Tahi players

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga’s national rugby team, ‘Īkale-Tahi , are set to benefit from TP$124,000.00 funding donated by government last week to help pay for the players’ allowance.

The rugby  funding will be paid out to Īkale-Tahi players while  playing three test matches in Europe starting this Saturday 8.

The money was reportedly given to Tonga Rugby Union’s interim CEO, Fuka Kitekei’aho through the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Sports Department .

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