Vahe-Kolomotu’a scored four converted second half tries to beat Vahe-Havelu 34-19 in the final of the Aoniu Cup 2008, a competition which forms part of the Tonga Rugby Football Union and High Performance Unit’s development scheme.

Tieuti Maamaloa scored two of these tries from the wing as Vahe-Kolomotu’a scored 20 unanswered points in 12 second half minutes to lead 34-14 with a quarter of the final remaining before a 3,000 crowd at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa on Saturday.

The competition featured 12 teams, one representing each of the 11 provinces in Tonga – including the outer islands – and the national Under 20 side, who were using the Aoniu Cup as part of their preparations for the IRB Junior World Championship in June.

The Aoniu Cup was also part of Tonga’s build up for the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, which runs from 18 April to 24 May and features two representative teams from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji with Upolu Samoa the defending champions.

Pacific Rugby Cup squads selected

Vahe-Kolomotu’a and Vahe-Havelu are two of the six provinces that make up the Tautahi Gold team for the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, the others being Kolofo’ou, Ma’ufanga, Ha’apai and Eua.

The five others – semi-finalists Vaheloto and Vahe-Kauvai, plus Vahe-Hahake, Vahe-Hihifo and Vava’u – form the Tau’uta Reds, the first Tonga team to reach the Pacific Rugby Cup final in 2007 when they lost 35-15 to Upolu Samoa in Nuku’alofa.

Following the completion of the Aoniu Cup, selectors have named extended training squads for the Tautahi Gold and Tau’uta Reds to begin preparing for the Pacific Rugby Cup.

The Tautahi Gold squad features 66 players, while 52 have been named in the Tau’uta Reds squad, including 24 players from Vaheloto and four members of the Tongan Sevens team who reached the Cup semi-finals at the New Zealand International Sevens earlier this month in Vaea Poteki, Sione Fonua, Ualosi Kailea and Teuimuli Kaufusi.

Tautahi Gold squad:
Forwards: Sione Ledger, Tavite Mafi, Sione maama, Sio ‘Akau’ola, ‘Isileli Fataua, Makoni Finau, Solo Tukuafu, Viliami Kupu, Paula Polo, Pulotu ‘Otumuli, Siaosi Ngininginini, ‘Atunaisa Faka’osi, ‘Isileli Fataua, Feki Moala, Soane Lakalaka, Tesi Lavakei’aho, ‘Etuate Fotukava, Va’inga Fangupo, Samiu Ika, Saia Tapa, Kano Vaifo’ou, Senituli Iketau, Sione Aho, Taukolo Tu’akoi, Petelo Pifeleti, Palavi Taumoepeau, Sione Niu, Tevita Vi, Vena Fakatoumafi, Kuli Tonga, Uasi Lisala, Tavita ula, Sateki Veikune, Lutika ‘ilolahia, Siope Poutele, Timote Folau, Matini Tupou, ‘Aleki Taka, Failo Moala, Sione ‘Ofa.

Backs: Soane Havea, Tovi Leakona, Mavae Tomasi, Loseli Tuata, Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa, Peni Tokotaha, S. Tu’ipulotu, Kaiongo Tupou, Vea Paunga, Silivenusi Taumoepeau, Semisi Motu’apuaka, Sione Taukapo, Teuimuli Pangai, Kasanova Soane, Pauli Taumoepeau, Tiueti Maamaloa, Sione Lavaka, Uikelotu Va’enuku, tokaikolo Latapu, Sipiaano Mahoni, Viliami Kainga, Fatai Blake, Sitaleki Lu’au, Samisoni Pone, Tevita Halaifonua, Fongia Moala.
 
Tau’uta Reds squad:
Sateki Mata’u, ‘Otulea Fifita, ‘Atelea Hu’akau, ‘Etimoni Poteki, Sione Timani, ‘Isileli Fine, Sefa Tuakaoi, ‘Atunaisa Sikalu, Kelepi Halafihi, Tavalea Takai, Jack Ram, ‘Enele Taufa, Sione Masima, Pio Tu’itavake, ‘Ofa Takai, Salesi Havili, Sione Tu’akoi, Saia Tu’imoala, Tupou Palu, Mesui Lemoto, Siua Halanukonuka, ‘Etilei Fevaleaki, Lisiate Fakalelu, Kitione Halapio (all Vaheloto), Kulitapa Tangata’iloa, Siale Vuki, Saia Taufalele, Makoni Mafi, Lemisio Sete (all Vahe-Hahake), Vaea Poteki, Sione Fonua, Ualosi Kailea, Teuimuli Kaufusi, (all National Sevens)Tevita Tanginoa, Rodney Mahe, Lopeti Fonua, Semisi Katoa, ‘Afele Tongia, Sikalele Ahoafi, Lataimuli ‘Anitoni, Foukimoana Katoa, Liuanga Teu (all Vahe-Hihifo), Manu Matangi, Siope Kapeli, Lokini Moeaki, Sioeli Bloomfield, Kepu Pakalani, Petelo Tupou, Poasi Fonua, Uate Fakalelu (all Vahe-Kauvai), Tukitoa Na’a, Taniela Te’ekafa (both Vava’u)