Ikale Tahi Rugby World Cup Preparations begins with Australia A
Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu is working with a 50-man squad in preparation for the Rugby World Cup kicking off on the 5th of October 2023. However, this number will be reduced to 35 at the beginning of June as the team prepares to play at least three test matches in July and August.
The team will assemble in Tonga on July 3rd for a two-week camp before their first match of the 2023 season against Australia A at Teufaiva stadium on July 14th. Following this, the team will head to Lautoka to play Fiji on July 22nd before travelling to play Japan in Osaka on July 29th. They will then return to play Samoa in Apia on August 5th.
Tonga’s world cup squad will be trimmed to 33 players and is expected to be announced after the Samoa test. The following players have made themselves unavailable for world cup selection due to injuries and personal reasons: Tevita & Sione Mafile’o, Colby Fainga’a, Alex Mafi, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Abraham Pole, and Atu Moli. While some might consider this a setback for the team, it has also given the opportunity for other players to step up and fill the void and showcase their talent on the world stage. 
Kefu is quietly confident with the players that have made themselves available to represent Tonga. “This will be one of the strongest Ikale Tahi squads ever assembled and even though we are in a group of death we consider ourselves a good chance to be very competitive”Kefu told Tonga Independent news.
The only concern for the head coach now is some uncertainty around his team’s schedule when they head to France: “We had Canada planned but that looks like it may be cancelled, so we need a replacement game. We head to France on the 23rd of August and we’re still looking for a game before we head into our RWC camp in Paris. Hopefully that will be sorted soon.”
Tonga is looking forward to a successful Rugby World Cup campaign and with the talent available for selection, they may just well be the surprise package at the World Cup.
Kefu is inviting all Tongans across the world to get behind Ikale Tahi as they journey to the World Cup to represent the Kingdom: “The players get a lot of energy from the support of the Tongan community not only from Tonga but across the globe” Kefu said.
