No changes in Islanders squad: Official September 23, 2008
There will be no changes in player selection and tour schedules for the Pacific Islanders Europe tour in November despite the resignation of Fiji’s Ilivasi Tabua as head coach.
Tabua stepped down early this morning citing family commitments.
PI media officer Dave Authur confirmed that there would be no changes to the squad which included 12 Fijian players.
“There will be no changes to either the tour squad or the tour schedule. The squad was picked by all the coaching staff and the schedule and games are set in stone,” he added.
Former Fiji prime minister and former Fiji prop Sitiveni Rabuka is the team manager.
Quddus Fielea, of Tonga, who was to have been the PI’s backline coach, will replace Tabua.
Fielea coached the Tongan national rugby team, Ikale Tahi, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and is widely regarded as an excellent coach and strategist.
Former Wallaby backs coach Glen Ella has been brought in to replace Fielea in his backline role
He is currently part of the Fijian High Performance set up.
John McKee was also appointed to the squad as specialist skills coach. He has coached extensively in Europe and Australia.
The Pacific Islanders team is scheduled to play three matches on its Europe Tour.
Nov 8: Pac Islanders v England, Nov 15: vs France, Nov 22: vs Italy
The squad:
Soane Tonga'uiha (Tonga), Kisi Pulu (Tonga), Census Johnston (Samoa), Justin Va'a (Samoa), Sunia Koto (Fiji), Aleki Lutui (Tonga), Ifereimi Rawaqa (Fiji), Kele Leawere (Fiji), Hale T Pole (Tonga), Daniel Leo (Samoa), Nili Latu (Tonga), Semisi Naevo (Fiji), Viliami Vaki (Tonga), George Stowers (Samoa), Sisa Koyamaibole (Fiji), Finau Maka (Tonga), Mosese Rauluni (Fiji), Sililo Martens (Tonga), Seremaia Bai (Fiji), Pierre Hola (Tonga), Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), Seru Rabeni (Fiji), Kameli Ratuvou (Fiji), Isireli Naqelevuki (Fiji), Isireli Bobo (Fiji), Gavin Williams (Samoa).
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