Tonga name squad for Pacific Nations Cup

Tonga have named a 31-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup. The team is comprised largely of those expected to be part of the final selection of the Rugby World Cup, though there are four uncapped players and some notable absentees.

Leicester Tigers pair Sione Kalamafoni and Telusa Veainu are the biggest names missing, while two-time World Cup flyhalf Kurt Morath is also absent. Taranaki midfielder Latu Vaeno, Coventry flanker Daniel Faleafa, and Clermont Auvergne prop Loni Uhila are among others hoped to be in the mix come September’s flagship tournament.

Joining the team for the first time is Scarlets-bound lock Sam Lousi, who missed the entire Super Rugby campaign for the Hurricanes with injury but looks set to make his test debut in the PNC. Bayonne prop Toma Taufa, Auckland three quarter Otumaka Mausia, and in-form El Salvador flyhalf James Faiva are the other uncapped inclusions.

Nasi Manu will make an emotional return to the pitch after missing the Guinness Pro 14 season while undergoing treatment for testicular cancer. Meanwhile hooker Elvis Taione is back after a three-year absence, and scrumhalf Sami Fisilau is set to play test rugby for the first time since the 2015 World Cup.

The Ikale Tahi will start their 2019 PNC against Samoa in Apia on July 27, followed by matches against Japan in Osaka and Canada at the neutral venue of Lautoka in Fiji.

FORWARDS
Paea Fa’anunu (Castres, FR), Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (Stade Francais, FR), Toma Taufa (Bayonne, FR), Paul Ngauamo (Agen, FR), Elvis Taione (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Sefo Sakalia (Asia Pacific Dragons, SG), Ma’afu Fia (Ospreys, UK), Siua Halanukonuka (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92), Leva Fifita (Grenoble, FR), Onehunga Havili (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Sam Lousi (Hurricanes, NZ), Steve Mafi (Castres, FR), Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty, NZ), Fotu Lokotui (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Nasi Manu (Benetton Treviso, IT), Sione Vailanu (Saracens, UK), Ma’ama Vaipulu (Castres, FR)

BACKS
Sami Fisilau (Auckland Marist, NZ), Leon Fukofuka (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons, UK), James Faiva (El Salvador, SP), Latiume Fosita (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Otumaka Mausia (Auckland, NZ), Siale Piutau (Bristol Bears, UK), Nafi Tuitavake (Northampton Saints, UK), Viliami Lolohea (Papatoetoe, NZ), Afa Pakalani (Eastwood, AU), Cooper Vuna (Bath, UK), Tevita Halaifonua (Coventry, UK), Fetuli Paea (Tasman, NZ)

FIXTURES
Sat, Jul 27 – vs Samoa (Apia)
Sat, Aug 3 – vs Japan (Osaka)
Fri, Aug 9 – vs Canada (Lautoka)