Taione named in Tonga RWC squad

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs hooker Elvis Taione has been named in Tonga's squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

The 32-year-old forward, who joined the Devon club from Jersey at the start of last season, is one of 30 players confirmed for the tournament by Tongan Rugby president Epi Taione.

The Ikale Tahi are in Pool C at the World Cup where they will take on champions New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Namibia, the latter of whom they will take at Sandy Park on September 29 (4:45pm).

As well as Taione, former Chiefs winger Fetu'u Vainikolo is also included for the tournament. The duo both recently featured for their country in the Pacific Nations Cup, helping them to finish third behind winners Fiji and runners-up Samoa.

Tonga will be looking to improve on their third place pool finish at the World Cup in New Zealand four years ago - and there are a number of survivors from the squad that impressed in that tournament, even beating France, with Alisona Taumalolo and Soane Tonga'uiha offering considerable depth at loosehead.

Veteran hooker Aleki Lutui also makes the squad, as does Western Force lock Steve Mafi. Nili Latu will captain the side, while new caps Sosefo Ma'ake, Viliami Tahitu'a and Telusa Veainu are all including after debuting in the recent Pacific Nations Cup.

Curiously Tonga have named just 30 players, rather than the 31 allowed at this year's World Cup following the introduction of eight-man benches. The 31st player is expected to be named later this week with rugby league player Andrew Fifita have been linked to a code switch earlier this week.

Tonga squad for the World Cup: Tevita Mailau (Perpignan), Alisona Taumalolo (Grenoble), Soane Tonga’uiha (Oyonnax), Halani Aulika (London Irish), Sila Puafisi (Gloucester), Elvis Taione (Exeter Chiefs), Paula Ngauamo (Mont de Marsan), Aleki Lutui (Ampthill RFC), Tukulua Lokotui (Beziers), Joeseph Tuineau (Dax), Steve Mafi (Western Force), Opeti Fonua (Leicester Tigers), Hale T-Pole (Otago), Nili Latu (Newcastle Falcons), Jack Ram (Auckland Blues), Viliami Ma’afu (Oyonnax), Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester), Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons), Samisoni Fisilau (Jersey RFC), Sosefo Ma’ake (Havelu Bulldogs), Kurt Morath (Biarritz), Latiume Fosita (Doncaster), Sione Piukala (Perpignan), Siale Piutau (Yamaha), Viliami Tahitu’a (Northland), Fetu’u Vainikolo (Oyonnax), Telusa Veainu (Melbourne Rebels), Tevita Halaifonua (Gloucester), William Helu (Edinburgh), Vungakoto Lilo (Montauban)