The 'Ikale Tahi against Manu Samoa during their Pacific Nations Cup 2025 campaign and 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier match in Nuku'alofa on Saturday, 23 August 2025. Photo: World Rugby
Tonga v Scotland
Kick-off: 2:40am NZT Monday, 24 November
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
The 'Ikale Tahi head into this weekend's test against Scotland in Murrayfield boosted by their close win over the Emerging Scotland side earlier this week.
Head coach Tevita Tuifu'a and his coaching team rotated players in that warm-up game, with options on how they plan to battle the Scots at Murrayfield on Monday morning, New Zealand time.
While Tonga won 19-12 at Scotstoun, Tuifu'a said the focus was on getting a combination for the clash.
It is what they tried out in the match, even testing if they have a player off the field as a result of a yellow or red card.
"The game was a good one for us to test ourselves," the former 'Ikale Tahi said.
"We did not focus on the result but more to see how we can match the Scots in the test match, which is more important for us right now.
"We also tested out our game plan if we have one player off the field, so just looking at the different scenario and preparing ourselves for that."
Tuifu'a has lost some players that played at the Pacific Nations Cup and secured Tonga's place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
But, at the same time, he has secured some who were unavailable during the PNC, for the Scotland test.
"What that means for us is that we get different players who we can test out and see if they are able to handle the pressure at this level," he said.
He believes Scotland, despite their recent losses to Argentina and the All Blacks, will be tough to beat at their home ground.
The last time the two teams met was at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which Scotland won convincingly 45-17.
Scotland beat Tonga 45-17 when thge two team met the last time at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Photo: AFP / CHRISTOPHE SIMON
The only time Tonga has beaten Scotland in the past 15 years was in 2012, a 21-15 win in Abereen, something Tuifu'a wants to emulate.
Scotland has dropped the ninth spot in world rugby rankings, with the Flying Fijians replacing them on the eighth spot.
"They will be tough, we know that," the coach said.
"They will be wanting to record a win for their home fans. The road has not been easy for them and we are preparing ourselves for a tough game.
"We can only focus on what we need to do and that is the message to the players. We need to get into the game early, be consistent upfront and win possession, keep that and make use of that.
"And if we can get enough ball out to the backs they can score the points we need."
Tuifu'a said the result is going to be important as rankings by 3 December will decide what pool they will end up in at the Rugby World Cup.
Manager coaches
Meanwhile, a set-back for the Tongans is the unavailability of backs coach Daniel Halungahu, who is tied up with the Blues Super Rugby Pacific pre-season preparations.
That has forced the Tongan coaching team to request the assistance of team manager and World Rugby High Performance consultant Milton Haig to work with the backs.
Haig is also a qualified coach and took the opportunity with excitement.
He told the media in Glasgow during the week the players are fired up and the message from the head coach has been given to the team.
"Tevita, the head coach, has said to the boys, 'we are here, we have to have got to make sure we represent ourselves, our country and friends and family with pride.' I have no doubt that will happen on Sunday, regardless of the result," Haig told RugbyPass.
"If you look at it, it is a bit of a one-off. We haven't had a massive amount of prep but I know every single person that put their hands up for this was pretty excited. Because it is such a short campaign you don't have to look after your body too much, it is just a matter of getting in there and away you go.
"From a management point of view, we see this as a fantastic opportunity because we are playing a tier one team, in an iconic stadium, so that in itself is a special occasion."
Haig has been with Tonga for the last 18 months and had coach Georgia to a famous victory over Tonga at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The Tonga management will name their match-day 23 later this week.
