Willy O to name Tongan team on June 4 [1]
Thursday, June 3, 2004 - 16:47. Updated on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 14:04.
The Tongan national rugby coach Willy 'Ofahengaue said that on Friday he will announce the 'Ikale Tahi team to play Fiji on Saturday.
Willy O said that Saturday's game plan there will have no change in the style of playing that they put up against the Manu Samoa in Apia on May 29, where the 'Ikale Tahi went down 14-24. The only change he will make are the players in his start-up team.
Willy O described the 'Ikale Tahi V Manu Samoa encounter in Apia as " still the old time traditional game of intense physical contact....
He said that he thinks that the game was a very good, "even though we lost, to me everyone gave their best effort and they stuck to the game plan....
The Tri-nations tournament this year is full of interest because after the final game between the Manu Samoa and Fiji in Suva on June 12 the Pacific Islanders team will be announced. It will be the first ever combined Pacific Islands team to play test matches against the Wallabies in Adelaide on July 3, against the All Blacks on July 10 in Auckland, and against the Springboks on July 17 in Brisbane or Sydney. Before the three international test games the Pacific Islanders will play warm-up games against a Queensland A team on June 19 in the Gold Coast, and against the New South Wales' Warratahs on June 25 at the Aussie Stadium, Sydney.