Tonga Samurai XV Squad Announced
The Japan Rugby Football Union is pleased to announce the squad for the Tonga Samurai XV ahead of their Japan Rugby Charity Match 2022, against the Emerging Blossoms on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo. The match is the culmination of ongoing fundraising efforts across Japanese rugby to support the people of Tonga following the devastation caused by the recent underwater volcanic eruption and tsunami. The match will be televised both in Japan and Tonga and all funds raised will go to support reconstruction projects in Tonga.
The Tonga Samurai XV brings together players from Tonga, or with Tongan heritage, from across Japan Rugby League One. The team represents Tongan players past and present, who play their rugby in the Japanese spirit of Bushido, with Tongan pride. The team logo features the flags and swords of both countries.
They will play against a Japanese invitational side playing for the first time under the Emerging Blossoms name. The team will be made up of players from Japan’s National Development Squad (NDS) whom the national coaching team view as potential future members of the Brave Blossoms.
William Sinali Latu, Coach of Tonga Samurai XV comment:
“With such great Tongan talent across League One, we had a hard time selecting this final squad. We have brought together a team combining both veterans and younger players, and they will be led Kubota Spears’ Captain, Sione Vatuvei. Most of the players have lived in Japan since either high school or university, and many of them have the potential to represent Japan in the future. Every player will participate with a passionate desire to help in the reconstruction efforts back home in Tonga and out of respect and gratitude to their adopted home of Japan.”
TONGA SAMURAI XV SQUAD
| POSITIO | NAME | TEAM/COMPANY |
| PR | Lata TANGIMANA | 花園近鉄ライナーズ HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS |
| PR | Sione HALASILI | 横浜キヤノンイーグルス YOKOHAMA CANON EAGLES |
| PR | Sila PUAFISI | 花園近鉄ライナーズ HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS |
| PR | Isileli NAKAJIMA | コベルコ神戸スティーラーズ KOBELCO KOBE STEELERS |
| HO | Alfanesta MAHINA | 花園近鉄ライナーズ HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS |
| HO | Sione MAU | 大阪体育大学 OSAKA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH AND SPORT SCIENCES |
| LO | Ika MOTULALO TAKAU | 丸和運輸機関
AZ-MOMOTARO’S MARUWA RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB |
| LO | Esei HAANGANA | 埼玉パナソニックワイルドナイツ SAITAMA Panasonic WILD KNIGHTS |
| LO | Asipeli MOALA | クボタスピアーズ船橋・東京ベイ Kubota Spears Funabashi TOKYO-BAY |
| FL | Viliami AFU KAIPOULI | 三重ホンダヒート MIE Honda HEAT |
| FL | Tevita TUPOU | 花園近鉄ライナーズ HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS |
| FL | Sione VATUVEI | クボタスピアーズ船橋・東京ベイ Kubota Spears Funabashi TOKYO-BAY |
| FL | Talau FAKATAVA | リコーブラックラムズ東京 RICOH BlackRams Tokyo |
| NO.8 | Lui NAEATA | NTTドコモレッドハリケーンズ大阪 NTT DOCOMO RED HURRICANES Osaka |
| NO.8 | Amato FAKATAVA | リコーブラックラムズ東京 RICOH BlackRams Tokyo |
| SH | Shinnosuke TAFOKITAU OKA | ㈱スクラムヒューマンパワー Scrum Human Power |
| SH | Keitaro HITORA | 花園近鉄ライナーズ HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS |
| SO | Richie HAVILI | 横浜キヤノンイーグルス YOKOHAMA CANON EAGLES |
| SO | Lomano Lava LEMEKI | NECグリーンロケッツ東葛 NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu |
| CTB | Taumoepeau SILIVENUSI | 豊田自動織機シャトルズ愛知 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION SHUTTLES AICHI |
| CTB | Tonisio VAIHU | NTTドコモレッドハリケーンズ大阪 NTT DOCOMO RED HURRICANES Osaka |
| CTB | Mifiposeti PAEA | NTTドコモレッドハリケーンズ大阪 NTT DOCOMO RED HURRICANES Osaka |
| CTB | Kruger LATU | 三菱重工相模原ダイナボアーズ MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES SAGAMIHARA DYNABOARS |
| WTB | Larry SULUNGA | NTTドコモレッドハリケーンズ大阪 NTT DOCOMO RED HURRICANES Osaka |
| WTB | Michael TOLOKE | 宗像サニックスブルース MUNAKATA SANIX BLUES |
| WTB | Manoa LATU | 埼玉パナソニックワイルドナイツ SAITAMA Panasonic WILD KNIGHTS |
| FB | Liekina KAUFUSI | 花園近鉄ライナーズ HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS |
TEAM STAFF
| Title | Name | Organization |
| Chairman | Nofomuli Taumoefolau | Saitama Institute of Technology University |
| Head Coach | Viliami Sinali Latu | Panasonic Business Service |
| Forward Coach | Ryu Koliniasi Holani | SAITAMA Panasonic WILD KNIGHTS |
| Forward Coach | Feleti Touliki Mau | VNF NAMOA TRADING |
| Backs Coach | Nataniela Oto | Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation |
| Backs Coach | Lopeti Oto | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Team Doctor | Tsukuru Nakaya | Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital |
| Athletic Trainer | Yuki Unno | Sportsdou Johoku Orthopedic Clinic |
| Trainer | Yoshiaki Suehiro | Suehiro Acupuncture Orthopedic Clinic |
| Forward Coach/ Team Manager | Toetuu Taufa | HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS |
| Team Manager | Kenta Teramawari | Japan Rugby Football Union |
| Team Assistant | Miyuki Miyazaki | Japan Rugby Football Union |
| Team Assitant | Moena Gotoh | Japan Rugby Football Union |
| Photographer | Masaaki Bingo | Tonga Rugby Union |