Mana Otai
Birth name | Kolo-Ki-Lakepa Manakaetau Filipe 'Otai | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 21 September 1968 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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K. Manakaetau F. 'Otai (born 21 September 1968
Coaching career
In September 2012, Otai was named head coach of the Tonga national team, taking over from Toutai Kefu, who was acting head coach for the ʻIkale Tahi at the time.[4] His two-year contract would see Otai through to 3 September 2014, and a possible re-sign is allowed based on his performance until then.
Otai's first match in charge was a 28–23 loss to
In August 2014, it was announced that the
White and Otai led Tonga to 2 from 3 wins during their 2014 European Tour. The Tonga Rugby Union were encouraged by the tour, re-signing Mana Otai contract to see him through to the end of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[9]
During the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, Tonga finished third at the end of the tournament. They opened with a match against Fiji in Suva, losing 30–22, before going onto beat Canada 28–18 and the United States 33–19. They beat Japan 31–20 in the 3rd Place play-off to claim third place. Otai later led Tonga to two victories in their 2015 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, beating English club side Nottingham 69–14, before beating Romania for the first ever time in Bucharest 21–16. During the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Tonga opened their campaign with a surprise 17–10 loss to Georgia, before picking up their first win against Namibia 35–21. They went on to lose to New Zealand and Argentina 45–10 and 45–16, to finish fourth in the pool. This meant Tonga failed to automatically qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
On 17 December 2015, Tonga Rugby Union president Feʻao Vunipola announced that the TRU would not extend Otai's contract when it expires at the end of 2015, with Otai's match against the All Blacks being his last in charge of the team.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Kolo-ki-Lakepa Manaketau Filipe 'Otai at New Zealand Rugby History
- ^ a b c "Mana 'Otai". Tonga ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
- ^ a b "More Records for Hastings". The Independent. 31 May 1995. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Mana 'Otai, 'Ikale Tahi's new Head Coach". Matangitonga.to. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
- ^ TRU Board sack Mana Otai? Archived 29 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Tonga will not renew coach Otai’s contract
- ^ Mana is Ikale Tahi coach for Europe Tour Archived 29 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Tonga add Jake White to coaching staff
- ^ Contract extensions for two senior TRU staff Archived 19 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Sport: Tonga Rugby Union to advertise for new coach