Tonga league team look to build on historic England win with match against Lebanon

With an opening win under their belt, Tonga coach, Kristian Woolf, says the team now looks to back it up with a win on Friday night.

He says they’ve got their eyes solely on the Lebanon game.

Tonga kicked off their World Cup campaign with a convincing 30-12 victory over powerhouse team England, scoring four tries to England’s two.

Tongan rugby league legend, John Hopoate, says the victory is a huge accomplishment for the nation.

“It was massive for us, firstly because it was England, the first time ever we’ve beaten England.”

With only two teams advancing to the semi-finals from the combined B and C Pools, Hopoate says the victory is crucial for their standings.

Listen to full interview with coach Kristian Woolf on PMN Tonga

“It sort of gives us a head start now that we’ve beaten them. That was a massive game for us.”

With an already strong start to the cup series, Woolf says the team can turn it up a notch more.

“We set a great standard against England but we can be better again, and we’ll keep fighting for that improvement. That’s what we’re aiming for against Lebanon.”

Woolf says this week’s preparations have focused on the challenges that unfamiliar talents might bring.

Watch full interview with John Hopoate on Pacific Huddle

“Teams like Lebanon with some players that you’re not as familiar with can throw some different things up and that can be really challenging.”

Hopoate credits the commitment from the players, acknowledging their fitness and attitude during camp this year.

Woolf adds that the atmosphere and cultural pride is strong, developed from years of team connection and shared purpose.

“They’ve made it really clear that they want to be a part of Tonga and want to play for Tonga and represent Tonga, and I love seeing that. It makes me really proud. It shows that those players are playing for something a little bigger.”

That sense of connection extends beyond the squad, with Woolf praising the Tongan supporters.

“It was outstanding to see how many Tongan supporters we had there as well and the noise they were able to make and the atmosphere they were able to create.

“Keep supporting us. We love your support. We love seeing the pictures of parades and flags and all that kind of thing all around the world, and particularly in Tonga. And we’ve got some big games coming up, so we just want to see as many fans there as possible, making as much noise as you can.”

Watch interview with Senior Constable Mo'unga-e-Kaha'u Kaifā on PMN Tonga

With big games ahead Police, Senior Constable, Mo’unga-e-Kaha’u Kaifa, encourages the wider Pacific community to celebrate respectfully and look out for one another.

“Our celebrations, we want to be remembered for all the right reasons.”

Tonga face Lebanon at CommBank stadium at 10:05pm Friday NZT, before heading back to the same venue next Sunday for the blockbuster match against Toa Samoa.

Brooke Fonoti is a journalism intern at PMN News who studied journalism at the University of Canterbury.