Ikale Tahi

After a physical but low-scoring first half, Samoa took a 6-3 lead into the break, with two Henry Taefu penalties offset by one from Tongan halfback Sonatane Takulua.

Taefu slotted another penalty soon after the restart, then hooker Ray Niuia was on hand out wide to finish some strong running and slick passing with Samoa's first try.

Five minutes later flanker Alamanda Motuga crashed over from close range to extend Samoa's lead to 21-3, only for Tonga to hit back almost immediately with a try to replacement flanker Villami Taulani.

And the Manu Samoa side is very much aware of this determination.

While it was a one-sided affair against 'Ikale Tahi last weekend, Manu Samoa coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua isn't underestimating the Tongan side, with the likes of Ben Tameifuna and Sam Vaka being added to the squad this week.

‘Ikale Tahi were thrashed 102-0 by New Zealand in an embarrassing loss at Mt Smart Stadium, but it didn’t tell the whole story.

They were without their top players from Europe with Kefu scrambling around the Mitre 10 Cup to put a squad together.

There were 13 uncapped players in the 23-man outfit which faced the All Blacks and Kefu said that quarantine rules caused by Covid-19 forced them to bring in a number of new faces.

Six of the players have been named in the forward pack.

Duke Nginingini will take up the loosehead prop position.

He plays for Karaka in the Counties Manukau club competition.

Joining him is Sam Moli, the younger brother of four-test All Blacks prop Atu.

Dan Lolo has been named in the second row.

Rugbypass reported that the loose forwards are made up entirely of uncapped players, with blindside flanker Mateaki Kafatolu the most experienced of the back row trio after four seasons with Wellington and a brief spell with the Sunwolves last year.

The 30-man squad includes 22 players based in New Zealand, with four from France, two from Australia and one each from Japan and Italy.

The new faces includes recent Super Rugby debutants Solomone Funaki (Highlanders) and Viliami Taulani (Chiefs), former New Zealand sevens player Sam Vaka and Japan based winger Hosea Saumaki, who turned down an opportunity to play for the 'Ikale Tahi Tonga team three years ago.

Veteran halfback Sonatane Takulua will captain the 'Ikale Tahi, following the international retirement of Siale Piutau at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The 29 year is one of four former New Zealand and Australian internationals who will represent the kingdom in next weekend's Final Olympic Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco.

The others are former Wallabies forward Lopeti Timani, Australian sevens international, Afusipa Taumoepeau, and Tasman winger Tima Fainga'anuku, who is a former New Zealand sevens representative.

Fekitoa will link up with the Tonga sevens squad already in Monaco after playing in Wasps' final English Premiership match against Leicester Tigers this weekend.

The team is most likely to be selected in New Zealand.

 “There will be a few overseas based players available.”

The match will take place at Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland on 3 July, kicking off at 7:05pm.

The test will help Tonga prepare for their World Cup 2023 Qualifying first-leg match against Samoa a week later on 10 July at a venue yet to be announced.

The second-leg World Cup 2023 Qualifying match between the two teams will be held in Hamilton on 17 July.

He leaves his English club Ampthill after seven seasons.

Molitika’s rugby career spans 23 years, during which he played for various clubs in the northern hemisphere including the Harlequins and the Cardiff Blues.

He debuted for the ‘Ikale Tahi in 1997 and was a member of the successful 2007 Rugby World Cup team. In 2008, he was selected to play for the Barbarians.

'Ikale Tahi first five Kurt Morath had barely arrived in Austin, Texas before it was announced the 2020 Major League Rugby season was no more.

The 38 test veteran made his international debut for Tonga in 2009.

Morath made his debut for the Austin Gilgronis on 7 March, after visa problems delayed his arrival, converting Tiaan Erasmus' first half try as the visitors edged the Houston SabreCats 24-20 to seal their first win of the season and snap a 22-match losing run dating back to June 2018.

He released a statement expressing his appreciation to the players.

“It is with utmost respect, on behalf of His Majesty King Tupou VI, the government and the people of Tonga, to convey herein our hearty congratulations, deep love and appreciation, to the coach, captain and respective member of the Ikale Tahi team for their overwhelming diligent and divinely empowered triumph at their recent Rugby World Cup game versus United States.”

“It is indeed a personification of national pride and solidarity and inspiration for the generation of today and tomorrow.”