The 28-year-old tight head prop could find himself packing down against clubmate Nicky Smith in the Under Armour Series at Principality Stadium next month after being included as one of five uncapped players in the Tongan tour party.
Head coach Toutai Kefu, a World Cup winner himself in the Welsh capital with Australia in 1999, has given Fia, fellow prop Tolu Fahamokioa, lock Sam Ulufonua and centre backs Hawaii Ahokovi and Latu Vaeno a chance to stake a claim for a trip to Japan next year.
The Tongans will be coming to Cardiff having won seven of their last 11 internationals, including wins over Fiji, Samoa, Italy, USA and Romania, and seeking revenge for their 24-6 defeat to Wales in Auckland in the summer of 2017.
They will warm-up for their big date in Cardiff on 17 November with a clash against the French Barbarians in Bordeaux a week earlier and then complete their tour with another revenge mission against Georgia in Tbilisi. The Georgians pipped them 16-15 when they last met in Suva four months ago.
“Our intention was to pick our strongest squad, especially with an eye towards the World Cup, but the guys we’ve brought in are playing great rugby and it gives them a great opportunity to press their claims to be remembered for next year,” said Kefu.
“Guys like Alaska Taufa, Daniel Kilioni and Sam Kalamafoni, who have either been out or just in and around the program for a number of years, have been rewarded for irresistible club form. So, it’s great to see how they will respond.”
Kefu is preparing for a tough assignment in Japan in 2019 with his Tongan side set to open their account against Eddie Jones’ England side. They also meet Argentina, France and the USA.
Tongan Tour Party:
Backs: Hawaii Ahokovi (Centre, Pakuranga, NZ), Latiume Fosita (Utility Back, Auckland), Leon Fukofuka (Scrum Half, Auckland), David Halaifonia (Wing, Coventry), Dan Kilioni (Wing, Grenoble), Viliami Lolohea (Wing, Tasman), Kurt Morath (Outside Half, Utah Warriors), Atieli Pakalani (Full Back / Wing, Unattached), Siale Piutau (Centre, Bristol Bears), Sonatane Taklulua (Scrum Half, Newcastle Falcons), Alaska Taufa (Centre / Wing, Grenoble), Latu Vaeno (Wing, Taranaki)
Forwards: Paea Fa’anunu (Prop, Castres Olympique), Tolu Fahamokioa (Prop, Hawkes Bay), Dan Faleafa (Back Row, Colomiers), Michael Faleafa (Lock, Perpignan), Ma’afu Fia (Prop, Ospreys), Leva Fifita (Lock, Grenoble), Siegfried Fishiihoi (Prop, Stade Francais Paris), Sione Kalamafoni (Back Row, Leicester Tigers), Fotu Lokotui (Back Row, Counties Manukau), Sitiveni Mafi (Lock, Castres Olympique), Valentino Mapapalangi (Back Row, Leicester Tigers), Paula Ngauamo (Hooker, Agen), Sefo Sakalia (Hooker, Steaua Bucuresti), Latu Talakai (Prop, Grenoble), Ben Tameifuna (Prop, Racing 92), Sam Ulufonua (Lock, Hawkes Bay), Sione Vailanu (Back Row, Saracens), Maama Vaipulu (Back Row, Castres Olympique)
Tongan November Fixtures:
10 November v French Barbarians (Bordeaux)
17 November v Wales (Principality Stadium) – Buy Tickets Here
24 November v Georgia (Tbilisi)
