29 May 2013

Sport: Tonga U20s confident ahead of Junior World Rugby Trophy kickoff

9:16 am on 29 May 2013

Tonga's bid return to the top echelon of age-grade rugby kicks off on Wednesday against Canada in Chile.

The Kingdom are vying with seven other teams for the Junior World Rugby Trophy, and with it promotion to the elite Under 20s Junior World Championship.

Tonga finished third at the same tournament last year and head coach Fe'ao Vunipola says they've definitely been given the tougher side of the draw.

"We are confident in our abilities. I know the pool is a bit strange given that we have the most hard teams to play - we have Canada and Japan and Uruguay, whereas Italy have Chile and Portugal and [Namibia]. But what do we have to say, just play what's in front of us."

Meanwhile in the games played so far, Japan thrashed Uruguay 40-20 and Italy beat Namibia 33-7.