Tongans have lots of huff little puff

By WYNNE GRAY

Tonga have made an impact at this World Cup, but not where they wanted it most.

They have delivered most of their pressure off the field, attacking the administration of the tournament with pleas for the IRB to deliver rather than pay lip-service to the needs of mid and lower-tier nations.

It is a most valid argument and one which gained widespread approval before the World Cup but no practical support from the game's rulers.

Having to play all their pool games in a fortnight compared with the All Blacks' 23-day programme and not being able to access their best players from overseas contracts were huge problems for a country with limited resources.

Perceived refereeing injustices at the cup have added to their frustrations.

The Pacific Islands' drums will continue to beat about the iniquities of the international rugby landscape and they have gathered the support of many other countries. The concern has to be that this will dissipate once this tournament is over.

"The players get the feeling that they [IRB] want us here and then they just want us out as soon as possible," said Tonga coach Jim Love.

He risks an IRB censure for that type of comment and criticism of the referees but legitimately can argue what other avenue is open to lesser nations to push their grievances. None of the major powers want to assist.

There has also been disappointment for Tonga in their results, losses against Italy and Wales and certain defeat in Brisbane tonight against the All Blacks to eliminate them from the quarter-finals.

Tonga still deliver brave words about upsetting the All Blacks but they have more chance of having coffee with President George W. Bush than that happening at Suncorp Stadium.

They will rumble at the maul and batter in the backs where Sililo Martens and Pierre Hola have looked a lively pair.

But on the evidence of their first two games they will suffer from a lack of fitness which should tell against a supremely conditioned All Black side in the much hotter temperatures in Brisbane.

That change in climate hit the All Blacks yesterday when they touched down in Brisbane after flying from two weeks of cool weather in Melbourne.

They play at an earlier time tonight and without the benefit of the artificial conditions at Telstra Dome where the roof is closed.

All Black lock Brad Thorn is ready for the return to his old sporting lair in a city he recalls as somewhere he seemed to be in a perpetual layer of sweat. He and his tight five will be called on to exhibit lots of that commodity tonight, to engage and commit the Tongans all evening after some of the patchy set-piece work in the previous game against Canada.

This is also a huge game for Ali Williams. Troubled by a stress fracture in his right foot which required a small pin and extensive rehab, he convinced the medical staff he was fit to stay on tour and play in this third pool game.

His aerial skills are needed to reduce the pressure on Chris Jack at the sudden-death stages of the tournament.

The other selection to concentrate on will be whether Leon MacDonald offers some solution to the absence of Tana Umaga at centre. His goalkicking will also come under scrutiny but may not be as important in this international as his presence on defence.

With some doubt still about the return of Aaron Mauger from his knee complaints, a competent display from the versatile MacDonald will go some way to helping the selectors.

They prefer him at centre rather than swapping with the sweeter-passing Mils Muliaina who has linked so expertly from the back.

Two matches should have eliminated much of the All Blacks' rust. Tonight they must be clinical from the start, look to build their game and structure. Those tasks done, the backs will be able to cut loose as they have shown all season.

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