UAE-Based Duane Aholelei Selected For Tonga November 2024 Men’s XV Tour

UAE-based Dubai Exiles rugby club have announced that their tighthead prop and Exiles’ Under 11s coach, Duane Aholelei, has been selected by the Tongan Men’s team for their November 2024 end-of-year tour.

The Pacific Islanders most recently competed in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 and they will head to Europe in the November 2024 international window for three test matches where they will face Romania, USA, and Georgia.

Duane is the younger brother of former Melbourne Rebels and London Welsh prop, Eddie Aholelei, who himself previously represented Tonga at the 2017 World Rugby Pacific Challenge. Duane has previously played in Australia with the Manly Marlins, in New Zealand with Waitohi, at ASM-Rugby (Clermont Auvergne) in the French Pro 14, and in the Major League Rugby in the US with Rugby ATL in Los Angeles.

Dubai Exiles said online, “Duane ‘Big Toko’ Aholelei joined the Dubai Exiles in the summer transfer window and has already made his mark for the men-in-black.”

Exiles’ and UAE Head Coach, Jacques Benade, added “We are so proud of Duane here at the Exiles. He had a great pre-season, working exceptionally hard at training and is playing outstanding rugby. A great club man. Well deserved Duane and good luck!”

Photo Credit: Dubai Exiles – Duane Aholelei

Tonga November 2024 International Men’s XV Tests

• Romania vs Tonga – November 9, 2024 – Arcul de Triumph stadium, Romania
• Tonga vs USA – November 16, 2024 –  Chambéry Savoie Stadium, France.
• Georgia vs Tonga – November 24, 2024 – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia

Four Asian Men’s national representative teams, UAE, HKCR, South Korea, and Japan Brave Blossoms will all be playing tests in November 2024 – this is the first time many of these will face non-Asian opposition at the same time.

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