8 Jun 2006

Tonga has heavy rugby schedule over the next few weeks

11:12 am on 8 June 2006

The Tonga Rugby is preparing to host Fiji in the second round of the inaugural International Rugby Boards five nations tournament tomorrow night.

Tonga will be buoyed by their first round win against Japan, while Fiji will be looking to open up their account.

However, Tonga's Rugby union Chief Executive Sokapo Lolohea, says the home and away world cup qualifying tournament against the Cook Islands in a couple of weeks is priority.

Lolohea says while Tonga may be match fit because of the five nations tournament, that means nothing at this stage.

"We are taking the Cook Islands very very seriously, and were not going to take for granted just because we're playing the five nations that we have a better preparation, yes but we remain focussed that we want to qualify for the World Cup, and come the 24th of June and the 8th of July, those are the two most important dates for Tonga rugby this year."