Tonga's rugby coach Toutai Kefu says the 'Ikale Tahi is ready to meet Manu Samoa and the Flying Fijians at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa for the 2017 Pacific Nations Cup Championship on July 1 and July 8.

“We are on track,” he said yesterday.

It's been several years since there has been an international rugby match at Teufaiva Stadium.

The Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) is hosting two matches for the 2017 Pacific Nations Cup championship at Teufaiva. The 'Ikale Tahi meets Manu Samoa on 1 July, followed by the Flying Fijians on 8 July.

The last international rugby game to be held at Teufaiva, according to the TRU was in 2012, between the ‘Ikale Tahi and the Flying Fijians.

The ‘Ikale Tahi team arrived in Tonga on Saturday, 17 June to prepare for the Championship, after they were beaten by Wales 24-6 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, on 16 June.

Toutai said there was no excuse for their loss to Wales, but Wales got away with an up-tempo line speed.

Toutai said that being back in Tonga for two weeks before they play the Manu Samoa at Teufaiva on 1 July, gives them ample time to polish up their game plan.

The ‘Ikale Tahi team to meet the Manu Samoa on 1 July will be announced on Wednesday, 28 June.

2019 World Cup

The three Pacific Islands teams that could compete in the 2019 World Cup in Japan are the ‘Ikale Tahi, Manu Samoa and the Flying Fijians, all yet to qualify.

During the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup the ‘Ikale Tahi did not win a game. They lost to the Flying Fijians 23-18, then to the Manu Samoa 26-16.

The Flying Fijians beat the Manu Samoa 30-10 to win the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup, which put the Manu Samoa in second place and the ‘Ikale Tahi at the bottom.

However, the ‘Ikale Tahi has had a successful campaign. During its European Tour, late last year, the 'Ikale Tahi beat Spain 28-13, the USA 20-17 and Italy 19-17.

At present on the World Rugby Ranking, the Flying Fijians is at No. 10, ‘Ikale Tahi at No. 13 and Manu Samoa at No. 14.