PNC- Tonga re-build mission this weekend

A heap of soul searching and inner rebuilding is going on in Tonga at the moment after their drubbing by Australia A over the weekend. The team and country have been shattered by the 83 point loss and everyone feels down that all the good of the proud display at the 2007 RWC may have been undone. This is where it starts to get interesting, as a hurt Island team can be potent thing, especially when they will be lining up against one of their oldest rivals Samoa. Speaking of hurt, Samoa is still feeling the hangover of the beating Tonga gave them at that very World Cup, so all of a sudden we have 2 teams running out with a mountain of history to sort each other out. This boil over will surely see brutal fast rugby at it's best come Saturdays kick off at 1.35 PM Tonga time.

Tonga have stated that they need to rebuild there set pieces and secure the valuable ball, they will have the injection into the team of Paino Hehea & Milton Ngauamo, this will add 2 coconut trees in the middle of their lineout and give the shot in the arm for their team to get go forward. The Tongan's are glad to be back on home soil and see their whole Pacific Nations Cup as this 2 coming weekends, as it is against their Island brothers as a new tri nations to see who will come out on top of the rivalry of the pacific. Rugby is a funny game and with a true performance this weekend Tonga can quickly wipe away the pain of last weekend. Samoa will equally be as eager to end their 3 in a row loss record, neither team can dread the thought of 4 loses in concession & it is a crunching must win game for both of them.

Tonga has the men, the chiseled bodies and the desire to play as they did in the PRC. The past wins were based on playing with heart and plenty of it, come Saturday these hearts would have had a long week to reload with pride after digesting anger and embarrasment. The time is now for the Tongan's and with some good vocal support they could spring to life again.