Tonga announce squad for end of year tour
Tonga will face Scotland, England, the French Barbarians and Romania at end of year tour
©PA
Tonga have named 10 uncapped players in the squad for the end of the year tour where they face Scotland, England, the French Barbarians and Romania.
Lopeti Timani, who played 12 Tests for Australia in 2016 and 2017 qualifies to play for Tonga after representing their sevens side earlier in the year.
The other new caps include Loni Uhila, Maile Ngauamo, Setefano Funaki, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Navarre Haisila, Latu Latunipulu, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Vaea Vaea and Atunaisa Manu.
Malakai Fekitoa misses out on selection following his injury while playing for Wasps.
Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding said a 40-member squad has been selected with the most bound in Europe due to the Covid travel restrictions in place.
He also thanked the clubs and the French Rugby Federation as they agreed to release the players for the Scotland fixture which falls outside the traditional international window.
"In addition, the Scotland game is outside the international rugby regulation nine release window. This has taken some negotiation with clubs, undertaken by Toutai and Lano and this has to this date been successful," he said.
"Clubs have been good to deal with and I want to thank the French Rugby Federation for their assistance."
Tonga squad:
Forwards: David Lolohea, Jethro Felemi, Sigfried Fisihoi, Loni Uhila, Paula Ngauamo, Sione Anga’aelangi, Siua Maile, Maile Ngauamo, Toma Taufa, Ma’afu Fia, Ben Tameifuna, Sam Lousi, Setofano Funaki,Halaleva Fifita, Sitiveni Mafi, Lopeti Timani, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Dan Faleafa, Onehunga Havili, Fotu Lokotui, Mateaki Kafatolu, Valentino Mapapalangi, Sione Vailanu
Backs: Sonatane Takulua, Leon Fukofuka, Suke Tuumotooa, James Faiva, Navarre Haisila, Kurt Morath, Latu Latunipulu, Daniel Kilioni, Hosea Saumaki, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Saia Fekitoa, Malietoa Hingano, Viliami Fine, Atunaisa Manu, Vaea Vaea, Walter Fifita, Telusa Veainu
