Wales not underestimating the Ikale Tahi

Despite going down 38 points to 18 to the French in Le Havre at the weekend, Wale’s defence coach Shaun Edwards says he was impressed by the Tongans after they were defeated.

The Tongans will meet Wales on Saturday (NZ time) as part of the 'Ikale Tahi's European Tour 2013.

Wale's coach Warren Gatland made 11 changes for the test at the Millennium Stadium.

 Edwards however told Walesonline, “Tonga played with a lot of width against France".

“They do have structure and they are pretty well-coached and they have a plan.

“Yes, we do have to expect the unexpected at times, but they do have structure and they don’t make it up as they go along.”

Wale’s captain Ryan Jones told BBC Sport that “integrating the young players into the international game will be one of his key roles when he leads Wales against Tonga on Friday”.

"It's not about us going out there as 15 individuals all with a point to prove, it's the importance of being better collectively," added Jones.

"We've got to make sure we've got our accuracy, and more importantly collectively as a team that we get it right on the night, because that's where we've come unstuck in these fixtures before."

"We've paid them [Tonga] the respect they're due.

"They're going to be physical and uncompromising, they're going to like to hit targets – we know what's to come."

Tonga vs Wales (BBC Record):

*Wales have also played Tonga in one non-capped international, winning 26-7 at Cardiff Arms Park (19-10-74).

Wales v Tonga: Capped internationals

Tonga 7-15 Wales, Nuku'alofa, 12-06-86

Scorers – Tonga: Try: Talai Fifita; Pen: Tomasi Lovo

Wales: Try: Paul Moriarty; Con: Malcolm Dacey; Pens: Bleddyn Bowen (2), Dacey

Teams – Tonga: T Eteaki, L Hopoate, P Moala, F Lavemai, S Mohi, T Lovo, T Fifita, T Bloomfield, A Afu Fungavaka, M Moala, O Vitelefi (capt), M Tu'ungafasi, E Koloto, P Tupou, P Langi

Wales: M Dacey (Swansea), MH Titley (Swansea), J Devereux (Bridgend / SG Institute), B Bowen (South Wales Police), AM Hadley (Cardiff), J Davies (Neath), R Jones (Swansea), J Whitefoot (Cardiff), WJ James (Aberavon), S Evans (Neath), RL Norster (Cardiff), RD Moriarty (Swansea, capt), P Moriarty (Swansea), PT Davies (Llanelli), MA Brown (Pontypool). Replacements: GMC Webbe (Bridgend) for Hadley; HD Richards (Neath) for Brown

Referee: Brian Kinsey (Australia)


Tonga 16-29 Wales, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 29-05-87, Rugby World Cup

Scorers – Tonga: Tries: K Fielea, Talai Fifita; Con: A Liava'a; Pen: Liava'a, Asaeli 'Amone

Wales: Tries: Glen Webbe (3), Adrian Hadley; Cons: Paul Thorburn (2); Pens (Thorburn (2); DG: Jonathan Davies

Teams – Tonga: T Eteaki, M Vunipola, S Mohi, T Fukakitekei'aho, K Fielea, A 'Amone, T Fifita, V Lutua, A Afu Fungavaka, H Tupou, M Tu'ungafasi, K Fine, VT Kakato, M Felise, F Valu (capt). Replacements: A Liava'a for 'Amone; L Va'eono for Tupou

Wales: PH Thorburn (Neath), GMC Webbe (Bridgend), K Hopkins (Swansea), MG Ring (Cardiff), AM Hadley (Cardiff), M Dacey (Swansea), R Jones (Swansea), DA Buchanan (Llanelli), KH Phillips (Neath), S Evans (Neath), RD Moriarty (Swansea, capt), HD Richards (Neath), P Moriarty (Swansea), PT Davies (Llanelli), GJ Roberts (Cardiff). Replacements: Jonathan Davies (Neath) for Dacey; SW Blackmore (Cardiff) for Evans

Referee: David J Bishop (New Zealand)


Tonga 9-18 Wales, Nuku'alofa, 22-06-94

Scorers – Tonga: Pens: Sateki Tu'ipulotu (3)

Wales: Pens: Neil Jenkins (6)

Teams – Tonga: S Tu'ipulotu, T Va'enuku, F Manukia, P Latu, S Taupeaafu, E Vunipola, Manu Vunipola, T Lutua, Feao Vunipola (capt), U Fa, F Mafi, V Taumoepeau, T Loto'ahea, T Vikilani, K Tu'ipulotu. Replacement: F Masila for Mafi (temp)

Wales: A Clement (Swansea), IC Evans (Llanelli, capt), MR Hall (Cardiff), N Boobyer (Llanelli), G Wilkins (Bridgend), NR Jenkins (Pontypridd), P John (Pontypridd), IM Buckett (Swansea), GR Jenkins (Swansea), H Williams-Jones (Llanelli), AH Copsey (Llanelli), GO Llewellyn (Neath), HT Taylor (Cardiff), SM Williams (Neath), RG Collins (Pontypridd). Replacement: NG Davies (Llanelli) for Hall

Referee: Ephraim J Sklar (Argentina)


Wales 46-12 Tonga, St Helen's, Swansea, 16-11-97

Scorers – Wales: Tries: Gareth Thomas (2), Leigh Davies, Nigel Walker, Gareth Wyatt, Chris Anthony; Cons: Neil Jenkins (2); Pens: Neil Jenkins (4)

Tonga: Tries: Fepi'kou Tatafu, Sione Tai; Con: Gustavo Tonga

Teams – Wales: G Wyatt (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bridgend), LB Davies (Cardiff), S Gibbs (Swansea), NK Walker (Cardiff), NR Jenkins (Pontypridd), P John (Pontypridd), CD Loader (Swansea), BH Williams (Richmond), SJ John (Cardiff), SJ Moore (Moseley), MJ Voyle (Llanelli), RC Appleyard (Swansea), N Thomas (Bath), RG Jones (Cardiff, capt). Replacements: DR James (Pontypridd) for G Thomas; R Howley (Cardiff) for P John; JM Humphreys (Cardiff) for BH Williams; CT Anthony (Swansea) for S John; SM Williams (Cardiff) for Moore

Tonga: G Tonga, D Tiueti, F Tatafu, P Tanginoa, S Faka'osi'folau, S Taumalolo, SM Tu'ipulotu, D Briggs (capt), V Ma'asi, N Ta'u, S Latu, K Faletau, H Pohiva, K Tu'ipulotu, T Matakaiongo. Replacements: S Tai for Tatafu; H Lavaka for Briggs; S Hafoka for Pohiva; M Molitika for Matakaiongo

Referee: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)

Wales 51-7 Tonga: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 17-11-01


Wales 27-20 Tonga: Bruce Stadium, Canberra, 19-10-03, Rugby World Cup

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