The Tongan rugby team, known as Ikale Tahi, viewed their recent match against Fiji as an opportunity to build a strong squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Captain Ben Tameifuna made this statement following their 19-50 defeat in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, during the Pacific Nations Cup.
“This is a stepping stone for us as Ikale Tahi. Our main goal is the World Cup in Australia, and our focus right now is giving the boys an opportunity to showcase their talents,” Tameifuna expressed.
Next week, the team will travel to Japan to face Canada, featuring a lineup that includes promising players who can benefit from playing at a higher competitive level. Tameifuna emphasized the importance of early exposure for the players to create pathways for future opportunities.
As they prepare for the fourth-place playoff, the match against Fiji also celebrated the 100th anniversary of their first test match encounter, which took place in 1924.