Manusina head coach Ramsey Tomokino has named 10 new caps in his squad for the Oceania Championship scheduled next week in Lautoka, Fiji.
Hot off winning the Asia-Pacific Championship earlier this year, Tomokino says Manusina will still claim the ‘underdog’ tag as his team has yet to assemble in full.
Coach Tomokino has selected a team with players based in five different countries.
“The team is so diverse that in New Zealand alone, players are drawn from seven provincial unions,” he said.
Whilst acknowledging a healthy geographical spread, Tomokino says it still comes with logistical challenges,
“I’m really proud of the players who have stepped forward to represent their culture and our people, we’re also under no illusion how tough this is going to be as everyone wants to go to the World Cup,” says Tomokino.
The Championship is doubly important as the winner will earn a place at the 2021 World Cup and the beaten finalist will have a lifeline at a repechage.
Joining the Manusina in the Oceania Championship will be Tonga, PNG, Fiji, New Zealand A and Australia A.
The Manusina’s first game will be against Papua New Guinea on Monday 18 November at 11.00am at Churchill Park, Lautoka.
The Manusina Team:
ALE Billy-Jean – Magiagi
APINERU Cynthia – Vaipuna, Leauva’a
*AUSAI Maria Jacinta – Mulifanua, Apolima Uta, & Satuimalufilufi
*AUVELE Mary – Palisi & Saanapu FALESITA Josephine – Saipipi & Satoalepai
FATU Alafou – Sataoa, Safata & Vaisala
FIAFIA Linda – Magiagi
FOAESE Nina – Vailoa Faleata
GAGO Luisa – Avao & Fagaloa
LEAULA Saelua – Faiaai, Salamumu & Siusega
LIVE Marilyn – Gautavai, Matautu Lefaga
MAGELE Jhana – Magiagi, Vaigaga
*MAILAU Apaau – Saleaumua & Aleipata
*MALIGI Molly – Saleilua, Vaiusu, Iva, Mulifanua & Manono
MILO Bella – Solosolo & Salani
MOSE Sieni – Fagalii, Vaiala, Solosolo, Moata’a, Saleimoa
SAMAU TIMANI – Aigaevalu, Nofoalii
*SA’U Hope – Apolima, Leulumoega, Satupaitea, Vaimoso, Gagaifo
SA’U Mary-Lee – Apolima, Leulumoega, Satupaitea, Vaimoso, Gagaifo
SAVELIO Easter – Vailoa & Fa’ala Palauli
*SEUMALO Joanne – Leauva’a & Tuana’i
SIMATI Jennifer – Fasito’o Uta & Fatausi
*SOLAESE Alyce – Fa’ato’ia
*TAITO Elieta – Malie & Taufusi
TAUASA PAUARAISA Masuisuimatamaalii – Foailalo
TOO Tuiala – Ulutogia, Aleipata Fusi, Saoluafata, Falealupo
*VAIOUGA Margaret* – Moata’a, Malaela, Aleipata, Fausaga Safata & Salelologa
*VAOTUUA Anna-Helen – Lotofaga and Afega
* denotes uncapped
TOMOKINO Ramsey – Head Coach – Saina, Tuanai & Tafatafa
TA’ALA-TIMALOA Cynthia – Assistant Coach – Pu’apu’a, Iva & Lelepa
FE’AUNATI Colossian – Assistant Coach – Fasito’o Uta, Leauvaa & Vailima
PALMER Sam – Strength and Conditioning Coach
LAM Elvera – Physiotherapist – Alafua, Satupaitea, Sapapali’I, Vailoa & Aleipata
BAKULICH Tauanu’u Nanai Nick – Manager – Vaovai & Fogatuli