Taione named in Tonga squad

By Mark Stevens
15/7/19

Exeter Chiefs hooker Elvis Taione has been named in a 31-man Tonga squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup.

The 36-year-old forward is one of handful of English-based players to have been selected for the competition, which gets underway on Saturday, July 27.

Taione lines-up in the ranks alongside Bristol's Siale Piutau, Tevita Halaifonua (Coventry), Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons), Nafi Tuitavake (Northampton Saints), Sione Vailanu (Saracens) and Cooper Vuna (Bath).

Onehunga Kaufusi, who spent the past year with the Chiefs before he release at the end of last season, has also been named in the squad alongside returning cancer survivor and Benetton Treviso forward Nasi Manu.

The 31-year-old loose forward missed Benetton Treviso’s entire 2018-19 Pro14 season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Manu has since recovered from undergoing chemotherapy treatment for the illness and is poised to make his first appearance for Tonga since last June.

Tonga’s Pacific Nations Cup campaign kicks-off against Samoa in Apia on July 27th, before playing Japan in Higashiosaka on August 3 and Canada in Lautoka, Fiji on August 10.

Following that, they face Fiji at Eden Park in Auckland as part of the Pasifika Challenge II on August 31, while their final match before the World Cup is against the All Blacks at Waikato Stadium in Auckland on September 7

Tonga’s World Cup campaign kicks-off on September 22nd against England in Sapporo.

TONGA'S PACIFIC NATIONS SQUAD 2019

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

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