The Vodafone Flying Fijians had two tough training sessions yesterday to round up their preparations for the Pacific Nations Cup/2019 Rugby World Cup qualifier against Tonga at Teufaiva Stadium tomorrow.

Vodafone Flying Fijians Coach, John McKee says the players have been very attentive and have responded well to the training programme set out for them.

For most of the players in the team, this is their first trip to Tonga but the Fijian community have been very supportive and have been turning up at the training grounds with their Fiji flags showing their support for the team.

Tonga Rugby Union operations coordinator Siaosi Faka’osi says that it is a challenge but also a blessing for them.

“It is always a challenge of course on and off the field being a Tier 2 nation but also economically smaller than our two big brothers Samoa and Fiji,”he said.

Vodafone Flying Fijians during training at the LDS Liahona High School ground in Nuku’alofa, Tonga on July 5, 2017.
Photo: FRU Media

“I believe this would be the first RWC Qualifier to held here at home in Tonga or at this level but every challenge is a blessing for us and I always like to say that we are on holy ground here in Tonga.”

Tickets for last week’s match against Samoa were sold out and Faka’osi says that with the large Fijian community here in Tonga they expect a sell-out crowd of 10,000 which is the stadium’s crowd capacity.

“I’ve faith tickets will be sold out again this week.  We have a large Fijian community here and I am absolutely certain that they will be out in numbers to support the Vodafone Flying Fijians, as they have been eagerly waiting for this match.”

“It is all about qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but above all, it is important to note that growing the game on our island shores, the island flair, passion and grit of our island nations Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are world renowned and unique.

“To host the Pacific Nations Cup here in Tonga has done wonders for our people, thanks to World Rugby our future rugby talent have a lot to look forward to.”

The Vodafone Flying Fijians complete their preparations with the captain’s run today at the Teufaiva Stadium.

Source: Fiji Rugby Union

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