Hat-trick hero Fusitu’a focused on Lebanon
Triple try-scorer David Fusitu’a says Tonga have put their historic win over the Kiwis behind them to focus on their quarterfinal clash with Lebanon in Christchurch.
The 23-year-old Warriors wing’s hat-trick helped the Tongans beat New Zealand 28-22 last Saturday amid delirious scenes in the Waikato Stadium stands.
Thousands of Tongan fans celebrated wildly and Tonga coach Kristian Woolf declared his side’s first win over a top tier rival as the nation’s ‘‘greatest sporting moment’’.
But Fusitu’a said Woolf had since drawn a line under that result as they prepare for Brad Fittler’s Lebanon in the Rugby League World Cup knockout stages.
‘‘We’ve only had one meeting since the game,’’ Fusitu’a said in Christchurch on Tuesday.
‘‘He [Woolf] said, ‘that game’s over, we’ve come to the knockout stage, if we lose we’re out’.
‘‘ We’ve got to forget about what’s been, it was a great day and we enjoyed it, but it’s over.’’
That message had been reinforced by Tonga’s senior players, such as skipper Sika Manu.
‘‘After a massive high, they bring us back down and focus on the next job,’’ Fusitu’a said.
This is Tonga’s third game in New Zealand – the first outside Hamilton – and the Mate Ma’a are expecting more partisan support at AMI Stadium on Saturday.
They were mobbed at Christchurch Airport on Sunday night and hundreds of Tongan community members were expected to attend a meet-and-mingle session with their heroes in Hoon Hay on Tuesday night.
Fusitu’a agreed that the fanatical backing seemed to lift the team.
‘‘ A lot of passionate fans out there behind our team, they bring a lot to how we play. There’s a lot of passion behind our little nation, I think that helps a lot out there.
‘‘Our country is really proud. it’s quite unbelievable how much they get behind us. All the boys have a lot of time for the fans and the families who come out and support us.’’
Fusitu’a won three caps for the Kiwis in 2016 and was expected to be named in New Zealand’s World Cup squad before opting to honour his heritage.
He admitted he ‘‘never thought I would ever play against New Zealand, but that’s how things panned out’’.
‘‘We enjoyed every moment [in Hamilton].’’
He said the victory over the Kiwis had given Tonga a boost, ‘‘but I think, right from the start, we always were confident in our abilities, and how special this team was’’.
The Kiwis’ victory was ‘‘pretty crazy, but we try not to read too much into it’’.
‘‘The game’s finished now, there’s a game ahead of us with Lebanon...
‘‘I thought they played a lot of good footy up to this point. They pushed Australia for most part of that game. We’re not going to take them lightly, we’re definitely going to give them all the respect they deserve.
‘‘ I really think they play with a lot of passion, like we do. They’re no pushovers, they’re really going to come out there and compete for the whole game.
‘‘That’s something we’re looking forward to it, and it’s a challenge for us.’’
Fusitu’a played his part against the Kiwis with his three tries, claiming he had profited from playing outside Konrad Hurrell, ‘‘a damaging ball runner’’.
‘‘All I had to do was put the ball down.’’