3 Feb 2011

Tonga counting down to Wellington Sevens appearance

11:55 am on 3 February 2011

Tonga is eagerly counting down to it's first appearance of the IRB sevens season in Wellington on Friday.

Coach Siua Taumalolo's squad is all locally based and has been training in Tonga for the past six weeks.

He says the mixture of old heads and a couple of schoolboys are raring to prove themselves on the world stage, with the Pacific derby against Samoa a particular highlight.

"Our boys like the challenge, you know. We are in a very tough pool but it's a very good test for us but against Samoa we look forward to it. They are a very good team but we're going to do our best. There's pressure for all of us - and we have young news boys too so everybody we are looking forward the last two or three weeks to come here and get involved in this big tournament."