Fiji Times – It will be an all-Pacific affair when Tonga A and Samoa A clash in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Both teams play a similar type of rugby where hard hits will be expected so there will be no love lost between two Polynesian sides.
Tonga A had their training run at the ANZ Stadium yesterday afternoon, with players running the set pieces and final touches being put in before the game today.
Tongan coach Isileli Fatani said they were ready and would be settling for nothing less than a win.
“I happy with the way the squad has been training and adopting to the different styles of play we have been running,” he said.
“Samoa plays a similar type of game as us and we expect a tough outing against them. It has always been like this when the two teams meet.
“We will be varying the style of game we play. We will play tight and when the situation calls for it, we will spread the ball wide.”
Fatani is no stranger to Fiji. Seven years ago while a student at the then Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT), he played for the Suva team.
“Things have changed a lot since the last time I was here,” he said.
“The weather will not be a problem. I think both Samoa and Tonga are experiencing similar conditions so both teams are ready to play in the heat.”
Tonga A and Samoa A clash at 3pm.
– Fiji Times