The 'Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu says there is plenty of room for improvement after their first-up 20-18 Pacific Nations Cup defeat to Samoa.
Tonga led 9-6 at halftime but two tries shortly after half-time enabled Manu Samoa to build-up a substantial lead, which proved too much to chase down.
Toutai Kefu says the team was extremely rusty after only a couple of training sessions together and botched at least four try-scoring opportunities of their own, that would have won them the game.
"There was a few timing issues and we just haven't gelled together so once we get a bit more time under out belt we'll definitely be a much better outfit. Some of these players also for a while and their fitness was also telling but we certainly had our chances to win the game - Kurt missed three or four shots at goal and the margin was only two points in the end. We will definitely improve for the next game."
That match will be against Japan on Saturday evening, with Samoa to face Fiji.
