Tonga Player Biographies

Following are brief biographies of the Tonga World Cup squad:

POLUTELE TU'IHALAMAKA (coach). A national representative player for 14 years, was part of a team that beat the Wallabies in 1973 but lost to England in 1974. Has opted for a strong South African connection in the side's World Cup preparations, calling on South African-based New Zealander David Waterston to lead their preparations at the Falcons Club in Transvaal. Polutele took over in January after a string of three coaches left in rapid succession while Tonga went through a losing streak. He wants to take the side to the semifinals and rebuild the Tongans' giant-killing reputation.

'ISI TAPUELUELU. Fullback. Age 29. Height 1.84 metres. Weight 100 kg. Caps: 25. Five test tries this year, he has made a strong case for a World Cup starting spot. Debut against Samoa 1992. Former Tonga Rugby League player 1993-95. Police officer.

SATEKI TU'IPULOTU. Fullback. Age 28. 1.82 metres. 91 kg. Caps: 25. Holds Tonga all-time record for a single international test by scoring 27 points (a try, eight conversions and two penalties against South Korea in the World Cup repechage round 1999 and top individual points scorer for Tonga this year -- 62 points from two tries, 14 conversions, and eight penalties). Played for Tonga in the 1995 World Cup. Automotive engineer.

SEMISI FAKA'OSIFOLAU. Wing. Age 23. 16 caps. 1.80 metres. 90 kg. Caps: 16. Seven test tries. Debut against Fiji 1996. A wing short on bulk but long on pace. Despite his relatively young age has plenty of international experience.

'EPELI TAIONE. Wing/flanker. Age 20. 1.93 metres. 117 kg. Caps: One. Dubbed by the press as 'another Lomu in the making,' was picked for England Under 21 rugby squad in 1999 but could not play because of his citizen status. Debut against Canada 1999. Educated in England, he is youngest member of team.

TAUNAHOLO TAUFAHEMA. Wing. Age 29. 1.77 metres. 85 kg. Caps: Five. 1997 Auckland sevens player and former Tonga national soccer player.

TEVITA TIUETI. Wing. Age 26. 1.82 metres. 92 kg. Caps: 10. Four test tries this year. A powerful, strong-running wing, he is a well-known figure in Britain after he played for Bristol from March 1996 and moved to Neath in Wales last season. Previously played for North Harbour in New Zealand.

SEMI TAUPEAAFE. Wing. Age 27. 1.77 metres. 105 kg. Caps: 13.

FEPIKOU TATAFU. Centre. Age 24. 1.84 metres. 90 kg. Caps: 12. An attacking outside centre with a good turn of speed. Two test tries this year. Try against Wales in 1997.

SIUA TAUMALOLO. Centre. Age 22. 1.80 metres. 88 kg. Caps: 16. 1999 Tonga top test try scorer with six. Veteran sevens player and debut against Samoa XV 1996. Former under-19 and 21 player 1995-97, became a popular player in Ebbw Vale in Wales when he helped the club qualify for 1998 European Cup.

SALESI FINAU. Centre. Age 24. 1.82 metres. 102 kg. Caps: Eight. Captained Tonga to victory against France and Canada. Powerful player who played in the 1995 rugby league World Cup and played league for Warrington in England before changing codes last year, making debut against Samoa in the Pacific qualifying. Helped Llanelli win Welsh League title last season.

'ELISI VUNIPOLA. Flyhalf. Age 27. 1.82 metres. 90 kg. Caps: 36. Four test tries this year. Played for Tonga in the 1995 World Cup. He is quick thinker and one of the most experienced players in the team.

BRIAN WOOLLEY. Flyhalf. Age 25. 1.78 metres. 82 kg. Caps: 10. Educated in New Zealand.

SIONE MONE TU'IPULOTU. Scrumhalf. Age 21. 1.85 metres. 95 kg. Caps: 15. Debut against Samoa in 1997. Played in the World Cup Pacific qualifying 1998 and repechage tournaments 1999. Tonga under-21 player, he is a versatile number nine.

SILILO MARTEN. Scrumhalf. Age 22. 1.80 metres. 86 kg. Caps: 12. Debut against Australia in the Pacific qualifying 1998 and repecharge tournaments 1999. Educated in New Zealand, where he plays.

KATILIMONI TU'IPULOTU. Number eight/flanker. Age 31. 1.84 metres. 100 kg. Caps: 15. Test try this year. Debut against Samoa in 1997.

VA'A TOLOKE. Number eight. Age 25. 1.92 metres. 108 kg. Caps: 30. Two test tries this year. Debut against Samoa 1995. Plays in Japan.

DAVID EDWARDS. Flanker. Age 27. 1.94 metres. 108 kg. Caps: 10. Debut against Australia in the Pacific qualifying 1998 and the World Cup repechage tournaments 1999. Based in New Zealand.

SONATANE KOLOI. Flanker. Age 27. 1.92 metres. 101 kg. Caps: 15. Five test tries this year. Debut against Thailand in 1996 and played in Pacific qualifying 1998 and repechage tournaments 1999. Was very impressive with strong runs in final round of repechage.

MAT TE POU. Flanker. Age 25. 1.94 metres. 104 kg. Caps: 14. One test try. Former player for New Zealand Maoris in 1996 who made debut against Samoa 1998. Based in South Africa.

ALAMANI MAFI. Lock. Age 28. 1.94 metres. 118 kg. Caps: 30. Powerful ball winner who has scored two test tries this year. One of the most experienced players in the squad, he made debut against Fiji in 1992. Played in the 1995 World Cup.

'ISILELI FATANI. Lock. Age 30. 1.94 metres. 115 kg. Caps: 15. Agile and speedy, has two test tries this year. Former captain of Suva (Fiji) district side in 1997.

KULI FALETAU. Lock. Age 35. 1.97 metres. 108 kg. Caps: 42. Test try this year. Debut against Samoa 1988.

BENHUR KIVALU. Lock. Age 36. 1.95 metres. 114 kg. Caps: 18. Based in Japan. Enjoys work in the loose.

FIFITA PUKU FALETAU. Prop. Age 31. 1.92 metres. 123 kg. Caps: 15. Police officer. Plays as loose head.

TA'U FAINGA'ANUKU. Prop. Age 27. 1.86 metres. 119 kg. Caps: six. Another police officer, another loose head.

NGALU TA'U. Prop. Age 30. 1.80 metres. 115 kg. Caps: 16. Loose head who has scored one test try this year. Debut against Fiji in 1995. Scored the only try for Tonga against Springboks in 1997. Plays in Wales for Pontypridd.

DAMIEN PENISINI. Prop. Age 28. 1.80 metres. 114 kg. Caps: Six. Tight head who has scored three test tries. Debut against Zimbabwe in May 1997. Has experience of playing in Wales for Neath.

TEVITA TAUMOEPEAU. Prop. Age 25. 1.84 metres. 115 kg. Caps: Two. Tight head. Made debut against Japan in 1999.

LATIUME MAKA. Hooker. Age 29. 1.84 metres. 110 kg. Caps: Four. Debut against Zimbabwe in 1997.

FE'AO VUNIPOLA, Hooker. Age 30. 1.74 metres. 92 kg. Caps: 36. Two test tries this year. Debut against Fiji 1992. Has played with Welsh side Pontypool.

Reuters contributed to this report.