Pool C: Tonga ‘Ikale Tahi’ Key National Statistics Capital: Nuku’alofa Population: 106,440* Area: 747 km2 GDP (ppp): $523 million* GDP per capita: $5,000* Inflation: 1.7%* Public Debt (% of GDP): 45.1%* *CIA Factbook 2014 estimate For purposes of comparison, all GDP statistics are expressed in United States Dollars Fetu’u Vainikolo in action against Share Market Index and Currency Romania at Arc de Triomphe National Stadium, Romania on 0.65 TOP-USD X-RATE November 9th, 2013. 0.60 Credit: © Julicos | Dreamstime.com 0.55 0.50 Key Players to Watch Rugby Analysis 0.45 10 Sep 11 Jan Jun 11 Oct 11 Mar 12 Aug 12 Dec 12 May 13 13 Sep 14 Feb 14 Jul 14 Nov 15 Apr Aug 15 Call us old fashioned, but the most important Tonga is struggling to find its footing in the player in any emerging markets’ team is the rugby landscape. Think sevens, and Fiji Source: Bloomberg coach. Mana Otai, former Tongan flanker will automatically springs to mind. Talk of Samoa, be leading the ‘Ikale Tahi in his first World Cup and both sevens and the 15-man code Imports, Exports and Trade Balance campaign. The team’s captain is the veteran resonate. Speak of Tonga in footie parlance, 50.0 hard-man Nili Latu, about to play in his third and there may be reference to that one-off 0.0 -50.0 World Cup. Explosive winger Fetu’u Vainikolo event in 2011 when the ‘Ikale Tahi choked out -100.0 is sure to get points on the board, so we see the French 19-14 in pool play. (US$m) -150.0 -200.0 no chance of a team “down trou” for these -250.0 rugby minnows. World Cup History 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Tonga has qualified for every World Cup except Imports Exports Trade Balance Player Focus: Fetu’u Vainikolo 1991, and they finished third in their pool Source: UN Comtrade We favour Fetu’u Vainikoloto be the team’s in 2011. The Tongan’s know the absolute poster-boy. At 30 years old and a svelte lows of the game too well including a 110-10 Team Squad 95kgs, he will have the gas to excel in his demolition by England in their 1999 campaign. Forwards: Tevita Mailau, Alisona preferred wing position. Like all thoroughbreds But then again, the 19-14 win over France in Taumalolo, Soane Tonga’uiha , Halani his pedigree is immaculate: New Zealand’s the 2011 World Cup hosted in New Zealand, Aulika, Sila Puafisi, Elvis Taione, Paula provincial rugby competition, cumulating with means they know the sweet taste of victory. Ngauamo, Aleki Lutui , Tukulua Lokotui, a few seasons in Super Rugby before signing Joeseph Tiuneau, Steve Mafi, Opeti with his current team, French Oyonnax. Rugby and Markets Fonua, Hala T-Pole, Nili Latu (Capt), Jack Ram, Viliami Ma’afu, Sione Kalamafoni, Emerging markets are unlikely to be a key Recent Form Uili Kolo’ofa’i component in a conservative investment Backs: Sonatane Takulua, Samisoni A third place in the Pacific Nations Cup, held portfolio. The same can be said for an Fisilau, Sosefo Ma’ake, Kurt Morath, over July and August suggests the ‘Ikale emerging rugby team as a conservative punter Latiume Fosita, Sione Piukala, Siale Tahi have executed their pre-Tournament is unlikely to back them. Piutau, Viliami Tahitu’a, Fetu’u Vainikolo, preparation well. A narrow 22-30 round-robin Telusa Veainu, Tevita Halaifonua, William loss to ultimate winners Fiji, points to a team Helu, Vungakoto Lilo brimming with confidence, the essential 16th Team Coach: Mana Otai player in all footie teams. Forsyth Barr Prediction Form Guide Knocked out in pool play – 3rd in pool Result Team Score Date On paper there is a glimmer of hope for the Tongans to progress out of pool WON Japan 31-20 3-Aug-15 play. Realistically however, the Argentines are likely to qualify second behind the mighty All Blacks. Therefore the more likely risk is that the Tongans lose WON United States 33-19 29-Jul-15 focus and get ground out by the Georgians to finish fourth in the round robin, WON Canada 28-18 24-Jul-15 which would be a step backwards for Pacific nation rugby. But we must say, these guys know how to set the early rounds of the Tournament on fire: LOST Fiji 22-30 18-Jul-15 Tonga 19 – France 14 in 2011. LOST Scotland 12-37 22-Nov-14 WON United States 40-12 15-Nov-14 To return to our Rugby and Markets coverage click here.