Tongans to play for late Queen Mother
The Tonga A rugby side are working on a strategy to counter the Telecom Fijian Warriors in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge opener at the ANZ Stadium, Suva on Friday. Head coach Isi Fatani told SUNsports yesterday that he has the players to deliver the result in this year’s competition.
“We have eleven overseas basedplayers in the team, six players are from New Zealand and five from Australia,” the former Suva lock forward said. “I can say that we have the best quality players for the PRC this year. Last year we only had local players but I’m confident of our performance against Fiji on Friday.
“We respect Fiji and we always look up to them as a good quality team. But we have been training well on ways we can defend them.
“We will identify their weaknesses and counter them on those areas,” he added.
Fatani said the team aim to finish on the top and dedicate the win to the late Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho who was laid to rest last week. “It was a difficult moment for us in Tonga, it was sad but this has definitely boosted the morale of the team for this week’s competition.
“Our aim is to win and dedicate the win to the late Queen,” Fatani said.
Tonga A finished third last year after beating Junior Japan 44-30 but earlier on they were thrashed by Samoa A 50-0 and Warriors 5618. Fatani said they have worked out their best combination and game patterns.