Tonga eye ABS weaknesses
Coach Toutai Kefu says Tonga have eyed up some weaknesses in the All Blacks after closely analysing the Perth pummelling the world champions suffered to the Wallabies a month ago.
The former Wallabies No 8 played 60 tests from 1997-2003 – his last when Australia let go of the Bledisloe Cup which they haven’t won back since – and said his Tonga team was hoping to adopt a similar style to New Zealand’s Rugby Championship rivals ahead of its Rugby World Cup opener against England in Sapporo on September 22.
Granted, Tonga are massive $41 outsiders for tomorrow’s test against the All Blacks in Hamilton and pulling off an upset in the sixth test between the two nations would be a monumental shock with the World Cup in Japan only two weeks away.
The All Blacks went down 47-26 in Perth before retaining the Bledisloe Cup by hammering the Wallabies 36-0 at Eden Park the following Saturday, but Tonga’s message this week and for a tough World Cup pool featuring England, France, Argentina and the United States ‘‘has always been to believe’’. The Pacific Island nation has never beaten the All Blacks.
‘‘We’ve looked closely at that Australia game in Perth – even the games against Argentina [the All Blacks won 20-16] and the Springboks where they drew [16-16],’’ Kefu said after naming his team yesterday.
‘‘We analysed those [teams] and some of their style is very similar to the way we want to play. We’ve just got to get better.’’
Tonga have won only one test this year, beating Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup after defeats to Samoa and Japan, then Fiji in Auckland last Saturday, so the Ikale Tahi are down on form ahead of four contests against tier one nations: the All Blacks and then England, France and Argentina in their World Cup pool.
‘‘It’s a massive challenge but I still believe we’re a chance of playing well and getting close,’’ Kefu said. ‘‘The All Blacks are the No 1 team in the world, so we’re under no illusions about that, but we’ve still got a chance – regardless of how small that is.’’
Kefu said their 23 for the test was the strongest it could be but for planned rotations and other enforced changes because of injuries. None are thought to be serious ahead of the World Cup.
Not selected were No 8 Nasi Manu, a former Highlanders captain coming back from cancer and a torn pectoral injury, and former Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna.
Both were fan favourites in Super Rugby before heading overseas in 2015. Tameifuna is rested and Manu is targeting his incredible return to test rugby at the World Cup.
Tonga’s preparations this week have been affected by losing their two first-choice hookers, Paula Ngauamo and Sosefo Sakalia, to injury.
Uncapped Siua Maile will play his first test after working as a roofer in Canterbury until his call-up three weeks ago. Another hooker, Sione Anga’aelangi, has been called up as cover from French club Biarritz and is expected to join the squad today.