Tokyo (AFP)
What "hen of death"? Although opposed to the English, Argentines and French, the Tongan islands of former Australian international Toutai Kefu aim for the World Cup in Japan a first qualification for the quarter-finals.
Only one win (against Canada) in five games played this summer, including two thrashing in Japan (41-7) and against New Zealand, Saturday (92-7). Despite this record, coach Kefu, former N.8 world champion with the Wallabies in 1999, wants to believe in the star of his archipelago South Pacific: "I'm focused on qualifying.We must win three games for this. "
"The chicken is difficult, no doubt, but we have to believe in what we do, believe it's possible, and I'm sure we can do it," he added.
It will soon be fixed: the "Ikale Tahi" ("Eagles of the seas"), whose fame is the victory against France at the World Cup 2011 (19-14), will start the competition against England (22 September) and Argentina (28).
Kefu arrived in a heavy context in 2016, since only a World Rugby rescue plan saved the Federation from bankruptcy.
In sports, a small victory against Italy, in Padova in November 2016 (19-17), has brightened the years since the World-2015.
Tonga, who have not won the Pacific Nations Cup since the 2015 World Cup, will once again be home to Japan's tough rink package (Tameifuna, Lousi, Kalamafoni), which has been hit by tough European contests.
© 2019 AFP