The Pacific Nations Cup match between Tonga’s ‘Ikale Tahi and the Flying Fijians is set to be a highlight of this year, commemorating a century of Test rugby between the two nations. Fiji and Tonga have been rivals on the rugby field since their first Test match in 1924, and this upcoming contest marks the 95th encounter in their rich history.
The Flying Fijians arrived in Tonga on Wednesday, while the Tongan team returned from Apia over the weekend. Both teams are preparing for a fierce competition as they aim for top positions in the Pacific pool. Aisea ‘Aholelei, the chief executive of the Tonga Rugby Union, expressed excitement about the significance of this match, especially given the ongoing centenary celebrations.
‘Aholelei stated that preparations are going well, emphasizing the importance of this event for Tonga, considering it has been nearly seven years since Fiji last played in the kingdom. He noted that Fiji has significantly improved to become a tier-one nation in recent years.
Jokini Sivo, president of the Fijian community in Tonga, shared that they are poised to warmly welcome the Fijian team with a traditional ‘sevusevu’ ceremony. Sivo remarked on the excitement within the Fijian community in Nuku’alofa, with close to 400 supporters eager to see their national team compete. He highlighted the emotional significance of rugby for the Pacific Islanders and the historical ties between Fiji and Tonga.
Looking ahead to the match, Sivo anticipates a closely contested game and acknowledges the challenge of predicting a winner, given both teams’ preparation. He noted the Fijian team’s flair and agility but emphasized that Tonga will strive to deliver their best in front of a home crowd.
‘Aholelei pointed out that the Flying Fijians are considered the favorites, particularly after their recent victory over Manu Samoa and Tonga’s loss to the same team. With both top teams set to advance to the semi-finals in Tokyo, Tonga is in urgent need of a win to keep their hopes alive.
As Tonga undergoes a rebuilding phase with new players and coaching staff, ‘Aholelei acknowledges the challenges faced by the ‘Ikale Tahi. He expressed hope that they could leverage their available resources effectively on game day.
Crown Prince Tupouto’a, heir to the Tongan throne, will be in attendance for the match, which kicks off at 3 PM local time in front of a passionate and packed crowd at Te’ufaiva. Meanwhile, Japan and the United States will face off in another matchup to decide the top team in the Asia Pool, with both already confirmed for the semi-finals.