2 Oct 2011

Tonga fans still celebrating as coach makes plea for big games

10:52 am on 2 October 2011

Tongan fans are smiling after the Pacific Islanders provided the biggest upset of the World Cup so far with Saturday night's 19-14 win over France in the capital.

Tonga coach Isitolo Maka says the victory means a lot to his country and he takes his hat off to the fans who have supported his team so magnificently at the tournament.

Unfortunately the victory wasn't enough to propel Tonga into the quarter-finals ahead of France but it's the greatest victory in the Pacific Islanders' rugby history and coach Maka has issued a plea for more games against top tier countries.

Tonga haven't played a big game since the last World Cup and Maka wants the IRB to sort out some appropriate fixtures for next season. He's hopeful a top tier country will be able to play Tonga in 2012.