Rugby: Tonga primed for World Cup boilover

5:00AM Friday September 28, 2007
By Julian Linden

MONTPELLIER - Tonga believe they can pull off a stunning upset when they meet defending champions England at the rugby World Cup on Saturday (7am, NZT).

The winners at Parc des Princes in Paris will face two-time champions Australia in the quarter-finals, the losers go home.

"It's the biggest game in our history," captain Nili Latu said.

"We have a great chance of getting into the quarter-finals.

"We don't want to be going home next week. England is a one-off match and the losers won't get another chance to put it right."

Tonga, a tiny South Pacific Island kingdom with a population just over 100,000, only made it to the World Cup by winning one of the two repechage places, but have been one of the great success stories of the tournament.

They beat the United States and their neighbours Samoa in the space of four days then almost pulled off a massive upset against South Africa.

"We've got the best team we've ever had and have done really well," said Latu.

"We haven't got the greatest facilities or equipment in Tonga, but we've shown here that you don't always need that.

"We're a tight group and we respect each other. And we're not playing just for us, we're playing for the people of Tonga.

"People underestimated us but we believed we were good enough to get to the quarter-finals. We're one step away from that now."

Tonga were beaten 101-10 when they last played England at the 1999 World Cup but have improved enormously since then and are hoping to draw inspiration from their stunning upset win over Australia in 1973, which still ranks as the country's finest sporting moment.

 

"We had a big moment in 1973 but no one was around," inside centre Epeli Taione joked.

"This is going to be our biggest moment, for all Tongan sporting history.

"I know that everyone will be cheering for us, Scotland, Wales, every country... even Iraq.

"It's just a massive game, we've got nothing to lose so we're going to give it our best shot."

Tonga have recalled flanker Hale T-Pole for the match after he missed the match against South Africa on a one game ban for striking in his team's win over Samoa.

Lock Lisiate Fa'aoso was also recalled in the only other change to the starting lineup after Paino Hehea fractured his shoulder in his team's narrow 30-25 loss to the Springboks.

Tonga: Vunga Lilo, Tevita Tu'ifua, Suka Hufanga, Epeli Taione, Sefa Vaka, Pierre Hola, Sione Mone Tu'ipulotu, Finau Maka, Nili Latu (capt), Hale T-Pole, Lisiate Fa'aoso, Viliami Vaki, Kisi Pulu, Aleki Lutui, Soane Tonga'uiha. Res: Ephraim Taukafa, Taufa'ao Filise, Maama Molitika, Inoke Afeaki, Soane Havea, Huson Tonga'uiha, Aisea Havili.

England: Josh Lewsey, Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait, Olly Barkley, Mark Cueto, Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Gomarsall; Andrew Sheridan, George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Steve Borthwick, Ben Kay, Martin Corry (capt), Lewis Moody, Nick Easter. Res: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Peter Richards, Andy Farrell, Dan Hipkiss.

- REUTERS