Tonga is hoping to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/Vinnie Wylie
A squad of New Zealand based players has been training under head coach Tevita Tu ifua for the past three years, which formed the core of teams that have competed in the men s Oceania Sevens Championship, World Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding said the New Zealand based programme has kept men s sevens alive for Tonga but with Covid-19 still prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere, they have decided to only select players who are already currently playing professionally in Europe.
Rugby Pass
Ardie Savea Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The long-awaited inclusion of the Pacific Islands in southern hemisphere franchise rugby is nearly upon us.
Moana Pasifika, representative of Samoa and Tonga, and the Fijian Drua will be included in a new professional competition featuring all 10 of the New Zealand and Australian Super Rugby clubs in 2022, and fanfare surrounding their addition is building.
Being granted conditional licences to play in next year’s tournament means both teams can begin the process of recruiting a playing and coaching staff to become competitive forces against New Zealand’s and Australia’s top sides.
Much has been made about who will make up the playing roster at each franchise, with reports emerging that the Fijian Drua already have Olympic sevens hopefuls, Fijian internationals and foreign stars with Fijian heritage lining up to play for the Suva-based team.
SAINTS have bolstered their squad ahead of Sunday s Betfred Women s Super League opener against Bradford Bulls. They have captured former England under 20s international Rachael Woosey, who grew up in St Helens, from rugby union side Loughborough Lightning. Former West Park junior Woosey, 23, can play on the wing, in the centre or at full back and has played union since the age of six. “I am looking forward to playing my first season in rugby league, she said. Being born and bred in St Helens, signing for the Red Vee was a no brainer for me. I am also studying for my PGCE so this move works perfect for me.
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