Tonga will have a tough task on their hands when they entertain a hurting Italy outfit at Teufaiva Stadium in Nukuʻalofa on Friday. Shaun Goosen previews.
Tonga v Italy
Friday 12 July – 04:00
Teufaiva Stadium, Nukuʻalofa
Italy will be smarting from last week’s 33-25 loss at the hands of Samoa. The defeat would have stung even more considering how well they performed in the Six Nations this year. They head south next for what will be a bruising encounter against Tonga.
Worth noting that the Islanders won the last meeting between the sides 19-17 back in 2016, but this is a totally new Italian brimming with class.
To Win Match
Tonga 13/2 | Draw 33/1 | Italy 1/10
Handicap
Tonga (+15.5) 9/10 | Italy (15.5) 9/10
Friday’s Test will be Tonga’s first since their 45-24 Pool B defeat of Romania at the World Cup last year, with newly appointed Tevita Tuʻifua having big shoes to fill after having taken the reins from Toutai Kefu, the nation’s longest-serving coach.
It’s a difficult ask of Tuʻifua in his first outing, coming up against the ninth-ranked Azzurri, a team currently six places better off according to World Rugby. The Tongan forwards may enjoy the rough stuff up front for the opening salvos of the contest, but it’s unlikely they will have the ability to match Italy’s Six Nations-harnessed physicality for the full 80.
Gonzalo Quesada’s side head into this one off the back of a disappointing 25-33 defeat to Samoa in Apia. Despite leading 25-15 early in the second half, the Italians allowed the Pacific Islanders back into it, ultimately to their detriment.
That result is a massive blow to an Italy side that enjoyed such a terrific Six Nations campaign. Considering their perennial ambition of bridging the gap between themselves and the rest of the tier one nations, copping a defeat against a Samoan outfit ranked several places below them is a major deflator.
Still, they should get back to winning ways in the Tongan capital of Nukuʻalofa ahead of a much tougher date with Japan in Sapporo next week.
Verdict: Italy (-15.5) 9/10
Italy should put their recent loss behind them in comfortable style on Friday. It could be a long day for the Tongans if the Italians can live with the Tongan physicality up front and get their electric backs going.
