WORLD CUP SQUAD FOR FRANCE, 2023
TONGA AND WELSH SQUAD
Tonga’s Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Sosefo ‘Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Vaea Fifita, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Feao Fotuaika, Solomone Funaki, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Havili Talitui, Tau Kolomatangi, Paula Latu, Samiuela Lousi, Sitiveni Mafi, Siua Maile, Samiuela Moli, Paula Ngauamo, Semisi Paea, Ben Tameifuna, Sione Vailanu.
Backs: Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa, William Havili, Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, Otumaka Mausia, George Moala, Manu Paea, Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Sonatane Takulua (capt), Kyren Taumoefolau, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Former Australia fullback Israel Folau missed out on Tonga’s Rugby World Cup squad and former Wallabies team-mate Adam Coleman was picked even though he’s yet to play for Tonga.
One more player will be named.
Tonga included five former All Blacks: Malakai Fekitoa, a 2015 World Cup winner, as well as Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Vaea Fifita and George Moala.
Moala was chosen even though he’s due to miss the first two World Cup games in France because of a five-game suspension that he is appealing. The five games were to include a second test against Canada on August 15 and two games for his Clermont club.
Moala was red-carded for a tip tackle against Canada on August 10. His appeal hearing is on Thursday, August,24th .
A knee injury has undone Folau. He played 73 tests for the Wallabies, including the 2015 World Cup final, but his contract was cancelled in 2019 for intolerant religious views. Another key back in Stade Francais fullback Telusa Veainu, Tonga’s top try-scorer at the 2019 World Cup, was staying home due to a hamstring problem.
Coleman played 38 tests for the Wallabies from 2016-19, including their quarterfinal exit at the last World Cup. His father Pau’u Afeaki captained Tonga in 1983 before dying when Coleman was 12. The lock hasn’t been available while moving to France from London Irish, which folded last season.
Captain and halfback Sonatane Takulua recently became the first Tonga player to reach 50 caps and was one of two players along with hooker Paula Ngauamo set to appear in their third Rugby World Cup.
“It’s a squad I’m very proud to coach and I know all the players are looking forward to representing their families and all Tongans around the globe with pride,” coach Toutai Kefu said.
Tonga’s World Cup campaign starts against Ireland on September 16 in Nantes. Matches follow against Scotland, South Africa and Romania.
Wales’ Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards: Taine Basham, Adam Beard, Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Ryan Elias, Taulupe Faletau, Tomas Francis, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake (co-captain), Dylan Lewis, Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan (co-captain), Tommy Reffell, Will Rowlands, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs: Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies, Rio Dyer, Mason Grady, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Liam Williams, Tomos Williams.
Taine Plumtree’s dream of Rugby World Cup selection has been dashed by a shoulder injury with Wales coach Warren Gatland admitting his Kiwi recruit had “drawn the short straw’’.
Plumtree, a Wellington and Blues backrower, left New Zealand in July for Welsh club Scarlets.
The Swansea-born son of former All Blacks forward coach John Plumtree was instantly eligible for Wales. At 6’5,the big lock would have been valuable.
It was better news, however, for Wales’ other Kiwi, Gareth Anscombe.
The 32-year-old first five-eighth is off to his second World Cup with Wales after first making his debut in 2015 after being eligible through his Cardiff-born mother.
Anscombe missed all Wales’ warm-up games this month with a thumb injury, but he and veteran No 8 Taulupe Faletau, who was also sidelined, have made Gatland’s squad.
Anscombe, who has signed for a Japanese club after the World Cup, missed the 2019 tournament when he suffered a serious knee injury in a warm-up game against England, and spent the next two seasons on the test side line after several operations.
Gatland has named hooker Dewi Lake and flanker Jac Morgan as World Cup co-captains after seeking a new leader following hooker Ken Owens being ruled out with a back injury.
Morgan, 23, has led Wales in two warm-up games and Lake, 24, one.
The pair are former Wales under-20 teammates but are inexperienced at senior test level, Morgan has 11 caps and Lake nine.
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