Tonga’s Quest at the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship

MEDIA RELEASE

9 January 2015

Tonga’s Quest at the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship knows no boarders!

Siutaka New Zealand Tonga Rugby Football Association (Siutaka) answered Tonga Rugby Football Union’s (TRFU) call to search high and low for best Tongan rugby talent in Aotearoa for Tonga’s Under 20 Rugby Squad. TRFU U20 coach will hold trials in New Zealand and Australia; "Players selected will join their Tongan counterparts at the International rugby union competition for Under 20 championship which will be hosted by Portugal in June 2015". Tonga has competed in the World Rugby U20 Championship, second tier (formerly the IRB Junior World Championship until 2014) since it commenced in 2008.

The New Zealand trials will be held in Auckland at the end of January 2015. Siutaka President and ex-New Zealand Rugby League International Emosi Koloto stated "we are honoured to work alongside TRFU; our goal is to support New Zealand Tongan players achieve at the highest level. We jumped at a chance for players to represent Tonga and an opportunity for players to experience international rugby. We are calling on all eligible players to join Tonga’s championship quest!" Siutaka’s development plans include participation in the Australian Tongan Rugby Tournament Willie O Cup on 7 February 2015 in Sydney.

Siutaka has appointed Coach Tony Alatini to prepare New Zealand hopefuls for the U20 trials and Coaches ‘Ofa Topeni & Pita Tanginoa to the Siutaka preparations for Willie O Cup tournament in Sydney. Training will kick off on Monday 12 January 2015, 6:30pm at the Old Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club, Entry to the grounds at Guide Place beside 79 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland. Siutaka squad for Sydney has been selected and is publishedwww.facebook.com/NewZealandTonganRugbyFootballAssociation

The Eligibility criteria to trial for Tonga U20:

a. he was born in Tonga; or

b. one parent or grandparent was born in Tonga;

c. Under 20 years on 31 December 2014.

d. Send player profiles to email: nztrfa@gmail.com.

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