Photos Linny Folau.

By Eleanor Gee

The Flying Fijians were in high spirits and looking relaxed at the captain’s run session at Teufaiva Stadium this morning, 7 July.

Coach John McKee told Matangi Tonga the team is ready for tomorrow’s game against the ‘Ikale Tahi.

“Preparations have been going really well and the boys are looking forward to playing tomorrow,” he said.

The Flying Fijians are sitting on the top of the Pacific Nations Cup table after winning their games against Samoa and Tonga last year.

They need one more win to automatically qualify for the next Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

Although the RWC qualification is important, McKee said the team will “just focus on the job at hand” tomorrow.

Flying Fijians captain, Akapusi Qera is one of the few players on the Fijian team that last played ‘Ikale Tahi in Tonga in 2008.

“It’s good to be back in Tonga after a long few years that we played here.”

“We are expecting a tough challenge from Tonga after their win against Samoa last week. So their confidence will be high and we are expecting a good match.”

The Flying Fijians have been in form after coming away with wins against Italy and Scotland last month.

Qera said the team is “just trying to build a winning culture and a winning environment for the young boys that are coming up and hopefully we can get the result tomorrow and keep on building.”

The match kicks off at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa at 3:00pm.

The Flying Fijians named to face Tonga are:

Team: Campese Maáfu, Sunia Koto, Manasa Saulo, Tevita Cavubati, Leone Nakarawa, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Akapusi Qera (captain), Nemani Naqusa, Serupepeli Vularika, Ben Volavola, Patrick Osborne, Jale Vatubua, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Josua Tuisova, Timoci Nagusa.

Reserves: Tuapati Talemaitoga, Peni Ravai, Kalivati Tawake, Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Viliame Mata, Henry Seniloli, Vereniki Goneva, Benito Masilevu.