Ikale Tahi

And with a win already in the bag after defeating Samoa at Apia last weekend, the Tongans will surely come out of their comfort zone to deny the Fijians a win.

However, Flying Fijians head coach John McKee is confident he has what it takes to break the hearts of their vocal fans.

McKee, who guided this flamboyant Fijians in their last training session in Nadi yesterday before departing for Tonga this morning has faith in the 28 players he had selected.

It will be their second home test since 2009 following upgrades to the drainage and facilities at Teufaiva Stadium.

Some of the big names who will be playing for Tonga include Racing 92 and former Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna, fullback David Halaifonua, flanker Nili Latu, halfback Sonatane Takulua, centre Siale Piutau and Highlanders prop Siua Hala-nuko-nuka.

Fiji Village reports Tonga were beaten in Samoa and Fiji last year and need to beat Fiji to have a chance of securing automatic World Cup qualification for Japan 2019.

The Test match is expected to be a physical encounter with both teams here to prove themselves in this World Cup Qualifiers with Tonga having a massive Home Ground advantage.

Nuku’alofa Times reports the Team has some big names included such as veteran Flanker Nili Latu, David Halaifonua, Sonatane Takulua and a few young bloods such as Cooper Vuna and Jack Ram to name a few.

Here is the Team:

Loose Head prop – Siegfried Fisi’ihoi

Hooker – Paula Ngauamo

Tighthead Prop – Siua Halanukonuka

Locks – Leva Fifita

Lock – Sitiveni Mafi 

The team is eager to take on Tonga on home soil in a much anticipated game at the Teufaiva Stadium.

It has been eight years since the Ikale Tahi played on home ground and Saturday’s game will be the first international match since the stadium was given the all clear by World Rugby officials earlier this month to host test matches.

As the visitors checked into Tanoa International Dateline Hotel yesterday afternoon, the Digicel team were ready to provide the team with assistance on Visitor SIMs and Top Up.

Tonga take on Samoa on Saturday in the 2017 Pacific Nations Cup opener before tackling Fiji on July 8.

“We are on track,” the former Wallabies No.8 said.

It’s been several years since there has been an international rugby match at Teufaiva Stadium. The Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) is hosting two matches of the 2017 PNC.

The last international rugby game to be held at Teufaiva Stadium, according to the TRU was in 2012, between Tonga and the Flying Fijians.

The match was broadcast live by Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) co-funded by Tongan Government.

Apart from TBC broadcasting the match live, nine villages in Tongatapu were able to watch the game in church halls and town halls through a partnership between the Ministry of MEIDECC and Digicel.

The team resides at the Vakaloa Beach Resort with preparation to their upcoming game with the Manu Samoa Team.

 In Addition, with the launch of Digicel’s new All-in-One bundle, the Ikale Tahi team were thrilled to use Digicel Network for its 10 times more on Data, Talk & Text while visiting Tonga.

Digicel thanks the Ikale Tahi & the Tonga Rugby Union for choosing Digicel and may they will continue to support them while in Tonga.

The 'Ikale Tahi will look to make history tonight in Auckland, after eight previous attempts at defeating the Welsh.

Their last encounter was four years ago when the Wales won 17-7 in Cardiff.

Veteran flanker Nili Latu, skipper Siale Piutau and first five Latiume Fosita are survivors from that match and will start at Eden Park, while Sila Puafisi could add to his 26 caps off the bench.

Meanwhile Wales are missing 12 players to the British and Irish Lions.

Piutau admits that raises expectations.

"We've definitely spoken about it as players," he said.

Crusaders and former New Zealand Under 20s halfback Leon Fukofuka is poised to make his test debut against Wales, as part of the 'Pasifika Challenge' double header at Eden Park next Friday.

Former Australian sevens representative 'Atieli Pakalani has also been included after missing last year's Northern Tour through injury, while Auckland-based Kiti Taimani is another new face to the outside back ranks.

The test was meant to be played in Nuku'alofa but was moved after concerns over the state of the pitch at Tefuaiva Stadium.

Head coach Toutai Kefu was confident the local Tongan population will come out to support the 'Ikale Tahi.

"I'm pretty sure it's well documented that there is more Tongans in Auckland than actual Tonga so we'll get some good support," he said.

"Those memories when we landed (in Auckland for the) 2011 World Cup and those Tongans that turned up at the airport are still fresh in my mind so I'm hoping that they will all be there."