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MONTPELLIER - Samoa haven't lost to Tonga for years but coach Michael Jones is expecting a frenzied challenge from their Pacific 'brothers' in Sunday's rugby World Cup pool match here.
The Tongans readied themselves for an all-out assault on Samoa with a rollicking 25-15 win over United States
in a Pool A match at Stade de la Mosson on Wednesday.
Tonga are confident of turning the tables on Samoa backed by their third-ever win at the tournament.
Jones senses the Tongans will come at his team strongly but he is confident his Samoans have the formula to win again and get their World Cup campaign on track.
"We know the Tongans will be out to turn the tables on us. We haven't lost to them for six or seven years," Jones said Thursday.
A Tongan team spokesman said Thursday the last time Tonga got close to a win over Samoa was a 6-6 draw in Apia in June 1999.
"We'll be facing some pretty determined, angry Tongans. We know how to beat them, but anything can happen at this stage."
Jones knows that a Tongan victory will be an achievement for the Sea Eagles in the intense rivalry among the Pacific island nations also embracing Fiji.
"They kept their game against USA pretty simple. If they can beat us that's a feather in their caps," Jones said.
"But we're training smart, working on some key areas. The boys are very relaxed and very excited. We're looking forward to this game. Playing our Tongan brothers is always a highlight for us."
Jones confirmed that 35-year-old talismanic winger Brian Lima, playing in his fifth World Cup, won't be playing against Tonga after suffering concussion in the opening 59-7 loss to South Africa.
"He's definitely not ready. We've had some good news in terms of a second medical report from the neurologist, but we wouldn't risk his health, he's only got one head," Jones said.
"He'll be available for selection for the England game (September 22)."
Jones will also be without centre Alfie Vaeluaga, who was cited and suspended for one match for a dangerous tackle on South Africa full back Percy Montgomery.
"That's a fair call. They're very strict on high tackles now, anything around the chest is a 50-50 call," he said.
"I don't believe there was any malice in it (the tackle). We've got to play by the rules."
Confident Tonga skipper Nili Latu said: "There's no pressure on us, I think the pressure is on Samoa, they haven't had a win yet (they lost 59-7 to the Springboks last Sunday).
"We still have a lot in the tank, so I've got a lot of confidence in my boys that we'll come round on Sunday (against Samoa)."
- AFP
