12 Nov 2016

Sport: Tongan rugby team wary of Spain

11:55 am on 12 November 2016

The Tongan rugby team is not taking victory for granted when it takes on Spain on Sunday in Madrid.

Despite poor form in recent seasons the 'Ikale Tahi go into the game as firm favourites against the 23rd ranked side in the world.

Coach Toutai Kefu has recalled a number of players into his squad to bolster the experience of the team but he remains convinced the game will be a challenge.

Kefu said the game in Spain had been riding a wave after their sevens qualification for the Rio Olympics.

"They've got a really good structure locally. They've got some players playing in the pro-league two and also the federal which is level 3 competition."

"So they are not too bad but if we played to our strengths and play to our game plan and we should go really close," he said.