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Former All Black great Bryan Williams isn't giving up hope of a Samoan win over England next week, despite yesterday's narrow loss to Tonga.
"It's a pretty even pool," said Williams, who starred on the wing for New Zealand in the 1970s and whose son Gavin plays centre for Manu Samoa. "There's still a chance they could win."
The two Pacific Island teams battled it out early yesterday (NZ time), resulting in an unexpected 19-15 win to Tonga.
Williams - who is now rugby director for the Ponsonby club - predicts the Samoa-England game will be a highlight of the rugby World Cup as both teams "are pretty desperate".
He will lead a tour group to France on Thursday to watch the rest of the cup games.
And although Manu Samoa's games aren't on the official trip, Williams said he would definitely be going along to support the team.
"This is their last chance - if they don't perform they're out."
Tongans throughout New Zealand were still coming to grips with the win yesterday.
"Personally I never expected it," said Manna 'Otai, who represented Tonga in 1995 rugby World Cup. "I didn't think they were up to it.
'Otai, who now coaches the Marist rugby team, said his screams of joy nearly woke up his household yesterday.
Tonga had "out-passioned" their rivals, who may have predicted an easy win and instead concentrated on their following games, he said.
"There was too much thinking about England."
But, predicted 'Otai, Tonga may have a hard time beating South Africa in their next match.
"My concern isn't if they win, but whether they put up a good fight."
broTown and Sione's Wedding actor Oscar Kightley said yesterday's game had provided many Tongans with "bragging rights".
"It's similar to a New Zealand-versus-Australia game. I'm really happy for the Tongan people because I know how much it means to them.
"But I'm still going for Samoa," Kightley said.
A Tongan barrister in Auckland, Sione Fonua, said there had been problems with the Tongan rugby administration but if those were settled the team would lift their game even higher. "I must give my congratulations to the coach, who seems to be doing some good work."
Mr Fonua said the win showed that Tonga had the players to perform well on the international rugby stage.
"Tonga will be a force. I've always had that belief and I have no doubt in my mind that they have the ability to get up there and make the quarter- finals, even the semifinals," Mr Fonua said.
King George Tupou V has joined his countrymen in applauding the win.
- additional reporting: Edward Gay
