22 Oct 2003

Tonga promises to take the battle to the All Blacks in their World Cup clash

5:02 pm on 22 October 2003

To the World Cup...

The Tonga coach Jim Love has today predicted "excitement" after naming his team for Friday's Rugby World Cup clash with New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Mr Love made only one change to the team which lost to Wales, bringing back captain Inoke Afeaki, even though the flanker is still troubled by knee ligament damage.

He says he is not daunted by the prospect of taking on the All Blacks and expects his players to go into the match with a positive attitude.

Mr Love Tonga will definitely go out with the attitude to win the game and not just keep the score down.

The last time the two teams met was in June 2000, when the All Blacks thrashed the Pacific Islanders 102-0.

Tonga lost 27-20 to Wales on Sunday. It also lost its opening pool match, against Italy, 36-12.