International Action Round Up

In Aberdeen Steve Mafi got a last minute yellow card for a petulant tip over after the whistle, but it mattered not as Tonga secured a shock 21-15 over the Scots, their first against a home nation.  Marcos Ayerza was not as lucky as Argentina were pummelled by Ireland 46-17.

At Twickenham some muddled thinking by both players and management cost England a victory, Toby Flood scored 6 points before departing early.  Manu Tuilagi tried valiantly to keep England in it with a series of powerful bursts as Dan Cole and Tom Youngs went well.  Ben Youngs and Geoff Parling round out the England contingent that was close but not good enough. 

In Florence Martin Castrogiovanni and his Italy chums came agonisingly close to a maiden victory against Australia as they lost 19-22.  In Tbilisi Vereniki Goneva played at 12 and grabbed a try as Fiji pulled off a close victory 24-19 against Georgia, confirming a whitewash for the hosts and preventing one for themselves.

Steve Mafi named on Bench for Pittodrie Clash

Tonga have named their side for this Saturday's clash with Scotland in Aberdeen's Pittodrie Stadium.  The only change sees Steve Mafi drop to the bench to replaced by veteran flanker Hale T-Pole, a star of the 2007 World Cup. 

Tonga : Vungakoto Lilo (Tarbes Pyrenees), Fetu'u Vainikolo (Connacht), Sukanaivalu Hufanga (Newcastle Falcons), Sione Piukala (Perpignan), Will Helu (Fasi Ma'ufanga), Fangatapu Apikotoa (Amatori), Taniela Moa (Pau), Viliami Ma'afu (unattached); Alisona Taumalolo (Perpignan), Elvis Taione (Western Force), Halani Aulika (London Irish), Joe Tu'ineau (Aix en Provence), Tukulua Lokotui (Wellington), Hale T-Pole (Northland), Nili Latu (captain, NEC).
Replacements : Ilaisa Ma'asi (Counties Manukau), Tevita Mailau (Mont De Marsan), Kamaliele Sakalia (Marist Tonga), Sitiveni Mafi (Leicester), Sione Timani (Llanelli), Viliame 'longi (Marist Longoteme), Eddie Paea (Eastern Suburbs), Alipate Fatafehi (Lyon).

Steve Mafi named in Tongan November squad

After a barnstorming Sunday game the Tongan Octopus Steve Mafi has been called up for his nation's November tour squad.  The 4 match tour takes in Castro's Italy in Brescia on November 10th, Dean Richard's Newcastle on Tuesday November 13th, the USA in Colwyn Bay on November 17th and finishing off with Scotland in Aberdeen on the 24th.

Good luck Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve!

Tonga squad:
Forwards: Sona Taumalolo, Saoane Tonga'uha, Alani'Aulika, Tevita Mailau, Taufa'ao Filise, Elevisi Taione, Ilaisa Ma'asi, Aleki Lutui, S. Sakalia, Joe Tu'ineau, Joshua Afu, Sione Timani, Tukulua Lokotui, Samisoni Fifita Masima, Hale Ta Pole, Sitiveni Mafi, Nili Latu, Sione Vaiomo'unga, Paula Kaho, Viliami Ma'afu, Uamano Fono.
Backs: Taniela Moa, Samisoni Fisilau, Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, Adney Mosese Uasila'a, Sione Piukala, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Hudson Tonga'uiha, Viliami Helu, Viliami 'Iongi, Mateo Malupo, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Vunga Koto Lilo, Sitaleki Lu'au, 'Apakuki Ma'afu.