Transcript
Fiji reaffirmed their status as the top team in the region after thrashing Samoa 38-16 in Apia on Saturday to retain the Pacific Nations Cup.
The Flying Fijians also notched wins over Italy and Scotland during the June/July test window and resisted a fierce challenge to beat Tonga in Nuku'alofa, to secure Oceania's top qualifying berth for the World Cup.
Their reward is a place in Pool D alongside Australia, Wales, Georgia and either Canada or Uruguay.
Head coach John McKee says they're targeting the quarter finals and every decision made over the next two years will be geared towards 2019.
"So certainly for me now I can really identify our top group of 24/25/26 players and really try to play them together as much as we can, so that we really develop our combinations, so when we hit the Rugby World Cup our squad is very settled. But at the same time I want to leave the door open: I know some players who are outside this group, this test series, who are either really close to selection or perhaps because of injury were not available."
July marked a momentous month in the history of Tongan Rugby.
The 'Ikale Tahi played their first home test in eight years, resisting a final Samoan surge to prevail 30-26 in front of a sold out crowd of 10,000 at Teufaiva Stadium.
A week later they came close to another upset against Fiji, who then did them a favour by putting Samoa to the sword, which qualified Tonga in Pool C alongside England, France, Argentina and USA.
Despite landing in the so-called "Pool of Death", 'Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu was excited by the challenge in front of them.
"I think in terms of our mindset it suits us to play the harder teams. I don't think as what we perceive as 'easier teams' but it suits us to play as an underdog and plus this gives us clarity two years out. So they're two big positives that I'm looking at and either way we've qualified for the World Cup, that's the most pleasing thing."
But Samoan fans are not pleased after a fourth successive test defeat saw them slip to 16th in the World Rankings, sandwiched between Romania and the USA, their lowest position since the rankings were introduced in 2003.
Head coach Alama Ieremia has tasted victory only twice in ten tests at the helm and says the whole team is hurting.
"Still a lot of disappointment sort of lingering around and...we didn't create enough pressure to really test the Fijians early in the second half and that was costly in the end. We played a very good Fijian side who took their opportunities, especially early in that second half. Those two early tries - once they created those it was always going to be tough to pull back and with the wind behind their backs they did very well to come up with the win."
The Manu now face a home and away play-off next year against a European qualifier and Alama Ieremia is urging disgruntled fans to keep the faith.
"They're very passionate people and that goes to show that they actually really care for the team, which is great, and I understand the frustration is there but a two point loss to Wales and that four point loss against Tonga - the team is not far off it. Those two test matches could have gone either way and when I look at the positives of this team I'm confident that it's heading in the right direction and I'm confident I can do the job for this team."
At worst Samoa will have one final chance to reach the World Cup via the repechage playoff, which will also feature the winner of next month's Oceania Cup clash between the Cook Islands and Tahiti.
This is Vinnie Wylie.
