23 Oct 2013

Sport: Tonga veteran T-Pole excited by upcoming European tour

11:53 am on 23 October 2013

'Ikale Tahi veteran Hale T-Pole says next month's European tour is an opportunity to cement their growing reputation in international rugby.

Tonga open their tour against Romania in Bucharest before blockuster tests against tier one nations France and Wales.

T-Pole is one of seven players selected from the New Zealand domestic competition, including new caps Suliasi Taufalele from Counties Manakau and Northland first five Latiume Fosita.

The 34 year old says, as a senior member of the 'Ikale Tahi team, he's been keeping in touch with a number of the squad.

"I had a good chat with Suli and talked with Thomas (Palu) two days ago. I'm so happy for Thomas, as soon as he started getting game time for Wellington. It will just be good for him to bring all what he's learnt from their campaign to our camp. I've caught up with Samisoni (Fisilau) from Bay of Plenty: a little bit of touch base about the tour and just to get the feeling to the boys that we're going on a mission - some time the guys first tour they tend to take it as a holiday first - not a holiday but a sight-seeing first then the training and the games come second."