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MONTPELLIER - Wins are rare for Tonga at the rugby World Cup but the Pacific islanders sense a victory in the offing against the United States in their pool A match starting here at midnight on Wednesday (NZT).
The Tongans are ranked one spot higher than the American Eagles at No 14 and make their first tournament appearance, while the US are backing up after their encouraging 10-28 loss to holders England in Lens last weekend.
Tonga, who have a large proportion of European-based players in their squad, are chasing their third win at the World Cup after beating Ivory Coast 29-11 in 1995 and Italy 28-25 in 1999.
Their physicality is their forte and they fancy their chances of rattling the Americans with what they believe are the strongest squad they have ever assembled.
"This is the best team we've ever had. It is the first time we have all the players available for the World Cup," coach Quddus Fielea said.
Assistant coach Ellis Meachen said the team's challenge was to get all the overseas players on the same wavelength as the home-based squad members.
"We have a lot of overseas players so it is important we get everyone into the same mentality," Meachen said.
"Players focus on different things at their clubs so getting the boys together for the national team is something to focus on."
America's New Zealand coach Peter Thorburn was encouraged by his team's first up performance against England.
"We knew we had to get off to a good start to the World Cup. We set ourselves goals and three tries to one was very satisfactory," he said.
"We don't often get chances to test ourselves against teams like that. We were under pressure but coped well. We spoilt their lineouts well and that's what the game is all about."
The Tongan match represents the American Eagles' best hope of claiming their third win in their fifth World Cup, after wins over Japan in 1987 and in 2003.
It will be a special occasion for the Eagles' Tongan-born prop Matekitonga Moeakiola playing against his homeland.
"I began to play rugby in Tonga, that was my country before I came to the United States to study. It's going to be hard, I have a lot of friends playing with Tonga. It is a challenge trying to beat them," he said.
"We have a really good chance to beat Tonga. We can do it.
"Tonga have a physical side. We are in better shape than Tonga. We should open up our game and make them run."
- AFP
