Fiji Sun

Fiji and Tonga needs to play more games like that of the Punjas Rugby Series to improve skills of local players, says Isitolo Maka.

The Tonga A coach said the series provided local players with opportunities to show their worth before they could move on to the national team.

The former All Blacks forward said they were happy that Fiji allowed the Tongan boys to play against them as it also gave him a chance to witness what his local boys had to offer.

“I believe this is a different level from PRC so the most important thing for the Tongan boys is to get an opportunity to show us what they can do, that is if they can move to the next level which is to the Tongan national team,”Maka said.

“If they play more games like this it will benefit the locals. “This is the best Tonga team we can get, so the series will help them out and it will be the same for Fiji as they try to move into the next level.”

For FRU to accept Tonga to be part of the series was dream come true for the men from the Friendly Isles.

“I think Samoa should do the same and join the series but for us we’re just so happy that Fiji accepted us to play against them and see how locals can perform.”

He added this was an opportune time for coaches to also sight their local players as many times in the past. It has always been the overseas based players that find their way into the national team with the exception of a few locals.

“But I’m happy with what I have seen from the local players so probably we’ll need more of this and continue with the series.

“From what I can see and tell from what I have seen that the local players from Tonga are trying to move to the next level and on top of the PRC so hopefully when they come back to the PRC they continue to do the same and not drop their performance.”

Meanwhile, Maka has told his players to prepare for the worst as the Fijian brigade would be up for revenge after their loss last week by 27-13.

Maka said he knows that the Fijian boys would be a lot harder and tougher when they face each other next at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

“I know and I expect Fiji to come a lot harder especially after losing the first game and they will be a lot tougher than the first one.”

“I told the boys that we will face a different Fijian side on Friday and we have to be ready to match what Fiji will come up with.”

15.05.2010