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Sports Hydrant Pacific Islanders - 2008 - Press Releases
Press
release November 03, 2008
Sports
Hydrant Pacific Islanders get straight to work
The 2008
Sports Hydrant Pacific Islanders went into camp yesterday
(UK time) and immediately started preparations for their game with
England on Saturday.
The coaching
staff had spent the previous 24 hours carefully putting together plans
for the upcoming Test matches. An intensely proud Head Coach
Quddus Fielea described the challenge ahead:
“It
is a huge task, no doubt about it.
“The
rugby we play will be simple, we will run, tackle, play direct and
go hard at them. We can make our dreams come true if we stick to our
game plan.”
In a
stirring welcoming speech to players and management, Tour
Manager Sitiveni Rabuka reminded the squad of where they
came from and of the many challenges ahead:
“We
represent many people but it doesn’t matter where we come from.
We stand together as Pacific Islanders.
“Pacific
Island nations provided the energy and the spark of the Rugby World
Cup in France and we now have the opportunity to build on this tradition.”
Fielea
also announced that six Test PI veteran Mosese Raulini
would captain the team with Nili Latu appointed as
vice captain.
There
have been a number of changes from the original squad announced in
September:
Samoan prop Kas Lealamanua has been brought in for
Soane Tonga'uiha;
Ifereimi Rawaqa has been replaced by Paino
Hehea;
Epi Taione replaces Isireli Naqelevuki
and Filipo Levi was brought in last month for Daniel
Leo.
The full squad is:
1. Kas
Lealamanua Prop Samoa
2. Kisi Pulu Prop Tonga
3. Census Johnston Prop Samoa
4. Justin Va’a Prop Samoa
5. Sunia Koto Hooker Fiji
6. Aleki Lutui Hooker Tonga
7. Paino Hehea Lock Tonga
8. Kele Leawere Lock Fiji
9. Hale T-Pole Lock Tonga
10. Filipo Levi Lock Samoa
11. Nili Latu Flanker Tonga
12. Semisi Naevo Flanker Fiji
13. Viliami Vaki Flanker Tonga
14. George Stowers Flanker Samoa
15. Sisa Koyamaibole No. 8 Fiji
16. Finau Maka No. 8 Tonga
17. Mosese Rauluni Halfback Fiji
18. Sililo Martens Halfback Tonga
19. Seremaia Bai 1st five Fiji
20. Pierre Hola 1st five Tonga
21. Vilimoni Delasau Wing Fiji
22. Sailosi Tagicakibau Wing Samoa
23. Seilala Mapusua 2nd five Samoa
24. Seru Rabeni 2nd five Fiji
25. Kameli Ratuvou Centre Fiji
26. Epi Taione Centre Tonga
27. Sereli Bobo Wing Fiji
28. Gavin Williams Fullback Samoa
