Tongan draw has mixed reaction

By DANIEL GILHOOLY

DIVISIONAL XV 10 TONGA 10

Reactions in the New Zealand Divisional XV and Tongan camps contrasted markedly after their match at McLean Park in Napier.

While Divisional coach Glenn Moore praised the concept of promoting New Zealand's lesser-known NPC players, his Tonga counterpart, Jim Love, said his team needed fundamental improvements ahead of the World Cup.

A late try to Divisional captain Mutu Ngarimu capped a strong second half for his side and tied the result after Tonga had led 10-0 at halftime. The visitors also scored one try, also through their No 8, Benhur Kivalu.

But exciting moments were rare in a stop-start match and neither side showed enough flair to crack resolute defences.

After last week's 30-27 loss to Samoa, the Divisional team is left with the same one draw-one loss record as last year when they played Italy (35-35) and Ireland (3-56).

"I thoroughly believe there is a future for this team," Moore said. "I think the guys have shown that the Divisional concept helps with bringing the grass roots of rugby through."

He said the team was one which players from the NPC second and third divisions aspired to. The pride and passion in representing New Zealand was obvious throughout their two weeks together, with plenty of emotion on show when former All Blacks captain John Graham presented their jersey the night before the Samoa game.

"There are some subtle changes we will recommend on how we build up to the games and how we select the team," Moore said.

"Ideally we'd like to see perhaps a domestic warm-up fixture before we play against an international team."

Moore also hoped the team could tour overseas soon but conceded it was not feasible in World Cup year.

Tonga faded badly in the second half after their forwards dominated the opening 40 minutes. As with their 47-12 loss to New Zealand Maori, their backline botched a wealth of chances, and Love is worried.

"This shows that we have a lot to work on," he said. "We should have beaten this team by a wide margin."

Captain Inoke Afeaki was stinging in the criticism of their late fade.

"[Some] start thinking they're sitting on a beach back in the islands when we're doing well."

Love will keep largely the same squad together for this weekend's test against Ireland in Nuku'alofa and a short tour to Australia, where they will play Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.

That is followed by home-and-away tests against Fiji.

Soon afterwards Love hoped to name his World Cup squad, who will meet the All Blacks in pool play in Brisbane.

- NZPA