'Ikale Tahi warm-up match with TDS team [1]
Thursday, September 1, 2011 - 21:36. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
TONGA'S national rugby team 'Ikale Tahi met the Tonga Defence rugby team in a practice game held at Loto Tonga at Veitongo, on August 30.
The TDS team will be competing in the upcoming inaugural World Defence Rugby Cup.
Lieutenant Commander Solomone Savelio said the warm up game went well as both teams rotated all their players for the 80 minutes.
He said both teams practiced all the moves to iron out a few things to be corrected like the line out, scrums, defence and back playing.
" It was very beneficial for the TDS rugby team as they are small compared to the 'Ikale Tahi. For our boys it gave them the confidence to face defence rugby teams from New Zealand, South Africa, French and other teams during the Defence World Cup in October."
TDS also presented their $1,500 donation to the Chairman of the Tonga Rugby Union Board after game.
The 'Ikale Tahi are currently in training at rugby camp at Loto Tonga. They depart Tonga for the Rugby World Cup on September 5.
The 30man TDS Defence Rugby Team departs for Australia for the Defence Rugby Cup on September 24.