Tonga World Cup Squad

[Mitch Connor]

Parramatta Eels five-eighth Feleti Mateo will spearhead a host of NRL stars in the 36-man Tongan team announced today for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Lopini and Mickey Paea (Roosters), Antonio Kaufusi (Storm) plus Willie Tonga and John Kite (Bulldogs) join Mateo in a star-studded squad that also includes young gun Eddie Paea (Rabbitohs).

The squad, which will be reduced to 24 on October 8, also features leading English Super League players Louis and Vinnie Anderson (Warrington), Willie Manu (Hull FC) and Tame Tupou (Bradford).

Tonga, who missed the quarter-finals in the last World Cup in 2000, have been drawn in Pool 3 with Samoa and Ireland for the 2008 tournament.

They will open their 2008 campaign against Ireland at Parramatta Stadium on October 27 before tackling Samoa at Penrith’s CUA Stadium on October 31.

Tongan coach Jim Dymock says this year’s World Cup will feature the strongest Tongan line-up ever assembled.

“There is so many more Polynesians in the game now with a lot more experience than when the last World Cup was played eight years ago,” Dymock said.

“No disrespect to Ireland, but the Samoa clash is the main game for us.

“We have a very good rivalry and, for both, winning this match is almost like winning the World Cup.

“Ireland will have a strong side too, though, and we won’t be taking them for granted. You can’t afford to do that with any team in the World Cup.”

Tonga will play New Zealand in Auckland on October 18 in preparation for the tournament, which begins on October 25 with England and Papua New Guinea clashing in Townsville and ends with the already sold-out Final at Suncorp Stadium on November 22.

2008 TONGA Rugby League World Cup Squad

Fraser ANDERSON Sharks
Louis ANDERSON Warrington UK
Vinnie ANDERSON Warrington UK
Andrew EMELIO Bulldogs
Richard FA’AOSO Knights
Albert HOPOATE Newtown (NSW Cup)
Sam HUIHAHAU Rabbitohs
Michael JENNINGS Panthers
Sinbad KALI Storm
Antonio KAUFUSI Storm
Brent KITE Sea Eagles
John KITE Bulldogs
Toshio LAISENI Newtown (NSW Cup)
Epalahame LAUAKI Warriors
Tevita LEO-LATU Wakefield UK
Sioeli MAKAUI Tigers
Sikalamu MANU Storm
Willie MANU Hull FC UK
Manase MANUOKAFOA Rabbitohs
Willie MASON Roosters
Feleti MATEO Eels
Tevita METUISELA Tigers
Sam MOA Sharks
Eddie PAEA Rabbitohs
Lopini PAEA Roosters
Mickey PAEA Roosters
Fetuli TALANOA Rabbitohs
John TAMANIKA Rabbitohs
Esikeli TONGA Titans
Willie TONGA Bulldogs
Anthony TUPOU Roosters
Tame TUPOU Bradford UK
Etuate UAISELE Parramatta (NSW Cup)
Manu VATUVEI Warriors
Cooper VUNA Knights
Tony WILLIAMS Eels

 

[farenhyt]

****, what a gun team

 

[Berries]

Mason?

 

[Kingi]

yeah yeah thats my team... we going 2 do well.

 

[MP4 - Eedz]

Whats the televising gonna be like for the World Cup btw ???????

 

[Junior DJ]

i thought mason was playing for australia ???

 

[Junior DJ]

and brent kite too , i thought they were both australian ?????

 

[dog mad]

and brent kite too , i thought they were both australian ?????

Mason's mother is tongan and Brent Kite's father is Tongan.
But if they both get picked for Aus they will play for Aus, its only if they don't get picked, Dymock was saying this in the Big League a few weeks back

 

[kennyy]

hang on a tick

kafusi played for aus last yr or yr before/

 

[kennyy]

btw Holo & Charles TONGA have been ripped off

 

[Mitch Connor]

Gotta feel for old mate SAM MOA. Why? Why??

 

[Mitch Connor]

The International game is a joke.

No players from the Tongan or Samoan league in either team.

It's a shame cos Samoa had a few really exciting players when i saw them play earlier this year.

 

[Kim Possible]

wtf louie anderson?

looks like he wont be playing for nz then, and lauaki wtf all these teams are stealing our players!!!

meh i really don't care lol.

 

[aarooni]

i think nz,aust have first option.

 

[kitepower]

go kitey big johnny KITE picked in the top 26 for tonga....go hard and do it for the dogs...

 

[kingdog]

they are going to give new zealand a run for thier money, wont suprise me if they beat them
same as samoa

 

[kingdog]

tupou was named in the aussie squad? wtf?

arent you suppose to pick a side, like feleti mateo had to do, and thats the reason he wasnt able to be picked for origin?

tupou played origin, so he can he be picked in their side?

 

[ThatsNikkisTeam]

Topou and Mase for Tonga....interesting :S Hopefully they dont make the aussie sides

 

[FaceBreaker]

Mason is automatic selection for Aus due to his ability to pull the crowds (most due to them hating him).

He will most likely start on the bench for Aus.

 

[B-Train]

That is an imposing squad and they will be great to watch come this World Cup. I can't wait...