The Tongan Ikale Tahi rugby team viewed their recent match against the Flying Fijians as a crucial opportunity to build a strong squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Captain Ben Tameifuna made this remark after their 19-50 loss in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, during the Pacific Nations Cup.
Tameifuna emphasized that this match serves as a stepping stone for the team, stating, “Our main goal is the World Cup in Australia, and our focus right now is giving the boys an opportunity to prove themselves.”
Next week, the Tongans will head to Japan to face Canada, aiming to give promising players valuable experience at higher levels of competition. Tameifuna reiterated the importance of early exposure in tournaments like the Pacific Nations Cup to help players secure greater opportunities in the future.
The match against the Flying Fijians also marked the 100th anniversary of their first test encounter, which took place in 1924, as the Ikale Tahi prepare for the fourth-place playoff.