8 Jul 2011

Sport: Tonga want to push on against Japan

10:24 am on 8 July 2011

Tonga are still searching for improvements ahead of tomorrow's Pacific Nations Cup clash with Japan.

The Ikale Tahi surprised Fiji 45-21 in Lautoka last weekend while Japan were well beaten by Manu Samoa in Tokyo.

However Tonga coach Isitolo Maka isn't getting carried away and says he expects the Cherry Blossoms to be much better this weekend.

"The way Japan played Samoa they had a few opportunities but I think the luck didn't come their way. But I think Japan will be very very hard for us so we have to really really focus on trying to beat Japan. We have to be better than what we did against Fiji. We've still got plenty of areas - maybe our set piece and control the contact area. We still have to work really hard at that and take them on in contact area."

Fiji play Samoa in Saturday's other clash at the National Stadium in Suva.