Tonga rugby

Ikale Tahi side to meet All Blacks to be named next week

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.

Tonga hoping for sea of red fans against All Blacks, Samoa

The 'Ikale Tahi will take on the three time world champions at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on 3 July in their first match since the 2019 World Cup.

Tongan fans have previously packed out the South Auckland stadium for rugby league tests against England, New Zealand and Australia.

Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding is hoping their loyal supporters will turn up en masse.

We're hoping that we get everybody there...a sea of red. There might be a little bit of black in there at some stage but we're hoping for as much red as we can possibly get in there," he said.

New Zealand Rugby confirms Pasifika July, with All Blacks to meet Fiji and Tonga

In the end the compromise, with its Pacific cultural twist, was the best that could be managed after Italy withdrew from its scheduled two-test tour of New Zealand because of concerns and difficulties around travelling under Covid-19 protocols.

The All Blacks will meet Tonga and Fiji (twice) in their three July tests over the first three Saturdays of the month, while the Maori will also line up against Samoa in what should be a high-interest, and historic, double-header at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on July 3.

Former All Blacks, Wallaby in line to play for Tonga

The Tonga Rugby Union announced last month it would only select players based in Europe for the qualifying tournament in Monaco, because of travel difficulties caused by Covid-19.

Tonga men's sevens coach Tevita Tu'ifua said an initial list of 43 names had been trimmed to 23, which includes two ex All Blacks and a former Wallaby.

"We have got a few (high profile) names pop up and we still need to rank our priorities list and then we work from there to finalise our selection," he said.

Nili Latu: Rugby Survivor

18 years after making his professional debut, the former Tonga captain is still clearing rucks and making tackles at the ripe age of 39 for Hino Red Dolphins in the Japan Top League.

The Dolphins season came to an end at the weekend as they were outclassed 49-29 by Toyota Verblitz to miss out a spot in the Top League quarter finals.

It's been three years since Latu accepted a six month contract to return to Japan but he hasn't ruled out playing on into his fifth decade.

Tonga coach welcomes Moana Pasifika, but with a warning for All Blacks

Along with Fijian Drua, Moana Pasifika has been granted a conditional license to join a planned Super Rugby competition with New Zealand and Australian teams in 2022.

While Fijian Drua will be based in Fiji, Moana Pasifika will be mainly based in New Zealand due to cost concerns, although comprised mainly of Tongan and Samoan players.

‘Very slim chance’ Charles Piutau will switch to Tonga

Piutau had hoped to feature for the Ikale Tahi ahead of the 2023 World Cup, but will most likely see that dream shot down due to World Rugby’s eligibility rules.

The governing body has stated that Piutau needed to be stood down for three years from the All Blacks, which he has already achieved. However, the back also has to play for the Tongan 7s team at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Monaco later this year.

And Kefu admits that it is unlikely Piutau will be allowed to feature for the Ikale Tahi, given Piutau’s club commitments with Bristol.

Tonga rugby coach Kefu "grateful" for second chance

The Tonga Rugby Union signed a tripartite agreement with World Rugby and the Tonga government seven months ago, after the global governing body pulled its financial support because of governance and administration issues.

Funding had since resumed, with Kefu reappointed until the end of 2023.

With a new administration in place and a fresh three year mandate, Kefu was "grateful" to be back in charge and believed he could build on his previous four years at the helm.

Toutai Kefu back in charge of 'Ikale Tahi

He was previously in charge between 2016 and 2019, leading Tonga to nine wins from 28 tests, and also had brief stints as a technical advisor and interim head coach.

The Kolomotu'a born Kefu was the "unanimous" choice of the Tonga Rugby Union's Joint Management Committee, from a pool of 35 applicants.

New CEO Peter Harding - himself a recent appointment - said it was pleasing to see a number of ex Tonga internationals who are coaching abroad also put their names forward for the 'Ikale Tahi job.

Pacific 7s teams to feature in Olympic preparation tournament

Takiwhitu Tūturu will feature eight men's and women's teams playing across two days at Hataitai Park.

The Tonga and Samoa Invitational sides will take part in the men's tournament alongside two All Blacks Sevens teams, while a Moana Pasifika squad will feature in the women's competition with two Black Ferns Sevens teams and a Black Ferns 15-a-side selection.

The Tongan squad was based in Auckland and would travel down to Wellington with head coach Tevita Tu'ifua on Tuesday.