Tonga Samurai XV Announced to Take on Emerging Blossoms
The Japan Rugby Football Union is pleased to announce the Tonga Samurai XV team to take on the Emerging Blossoms in the Japan Rugby Charity Match 2022, this Saturday, June 11, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.
Captained by Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay flanker, Sione Vatuvei, the team brings together a formidable combination of Tongan talent from across Japan Rugby League One. Loosehead prop, Isileli Nakajima, and utility back, Lomano Lemeki, two of the stars of the Brave Blossom’s Rugby World Cup 2019 team have been named in the starting lineup, while former Japan Sevens player, Larry Sulunga has been named at fullback.
Carrying on the rugby tradition of showcasing a new talent in invitational sides such as the Tonga Samurai XV, 21 year old college student, Sione Mau from the Osaka University of Health and Sports Sciences has been named on the bench as a front-row reserve.
Ahead of kick-off, the Tonga Samurai XV will perform a special Sipi Tau. This Sipi Tau, the Tongan pre-game challenge, has been created especially for this match and will be shown in public for the first time.
TEAM LIST
| No | Name | Height | Weight | DOB |
| 1 | Isileli NAKAJIMA | 186 | 120 | 1989/07/09 |
| 2 | Alfanesta MAHINA | 167 | 110 | 2000/10/28 |
| 3 | Sila PUAFISI | 185 | 135 | 1988/04/15 |
| 4 | Talau FAKATAVA | 194 | 118 | 1994/12/07 |
| 5 | Esei HAANGANA | 198 | 120 | 1999/04/21 |
| 6 | Viliami AFU KAIPOULI | 189 | 115 | 1997/09/28 |
| 7 | Sione VATUVEI | 190 | 105 | 1983/03/14 |
| 8 | Lui NAEATA | 193 | 119 | 1994/02/02 |
| 9 | Shinnosuke TAFOKITAU OKA | 173 | 73 | 1994/06/11 |
| 10 | Lomano Lava LEMEKI | 178 | 96 | 1989/01/20 |
| 11 | Michael TOLOKE | 183 | 101 | 1990/05/15 |
| 12 | Mifiposeti PAEA | 180 | 109 | 1987/07/06 |
| 13 | Taumoepeau SILIVENUSI | 184 | 99 | 1985/07/31 |
| 14 | Kruger LATU | 188 | 88 | 1995/10/10 |
| 15 | Larry SULUNGA | 183 | 102 | 1998/10/22 |
| 16 | Sione HALASILI | 180 | 120 | 1999/10/15 |
| 17 | Sione MAU | 179 | 108 | 2002/04/10 |
| 18 | Lata TANGIMANA | 183 | 118 | 1998/01/23 |
| 19 | Asipeli MOALA | 185 | 115 | 1998/06/28 |
| 20 | Tevita TUPOU | 185 | 104 | 1991/09/26 |
| 21 | Keitaro HITORA | 166 | 72 | 1998/12/11 |
| 22 | Richie HAVILI | 178 | 93 | 1988/04/16 |
| 23 | Tonisio VAIHU | 177 | 108 | 1991/02/12 |
| 24 | Manoa LATU | 181 | 95 | 1998/02/22 |
| 25 | Liekina KAUFUSI | 182 | 99 | 1998/01/24 |