TGA eve of match (v ROU): assistant coach Hilton, captain Tameifuna, Coleman

Zane Hilton, assistant coach

On wanting to finish Rugby World Cup 2023 on a high:

“We’re really looking forward to finishing strong. We really want to make sure that we play well for the fans and everyone back home and really put a mark there to finish the tournament well.

“We certainly didn’t mark this one in the calendar, we marked every game in the calendar. We took every game as a really important one to us. I think that really showed last week against South Africa. South Africa are a great side; current world champs and potentially might do it again. Our only goal tomorrow is to now go another level on what we did with our performance last week.”

On whether they draw motivation from the fact they lost to Romania the last time these two teams met in 2021:

“There’s a number of things to use as motivation for tomorrow. Certainly it’s the last opportunity this group of people get to play together, which is one. With Toutai (Kefu, head coach) finishing, this being Toutai’s last game, that’s huge for us as well.

“But probably the greatest motivation will be intrinsic for the players, I dare say around wanting to play well and finish the tournament well. That’s the most important thing. I still feel like, even though we’ve improved, the group really want to prove something tomorrow - that we’re really at a level where we can be, and I think that would be the biggest motivation.”

On whether Tongan rugby is in a good place:

“There’s a huge amount of sacrifice that goes behind being able to put a quality team out there. Firstly, having to sit out a period of time in international rugby. We can’t be more grateful for the playing group that have done that.

“There’s also a younger group of players that really have shown a great ability to come through and over the next four years it’s going to be an exciting cycle for Tongan rugby.

“It’s going to be some big decisions for some of the guys that are in the group at the moment, whether or not they continue for the next cycle. Those discussions are going to be really enjoyable as well.”

Ben Tameifuna, captain

On the prospect of facing Romania:

“Romania seems to be the kind of team that doesn’t give up, whether you’re 40 or 50 ahead they are always going to keep coming at you.

“Just like us, Romania’s going to be looking to finish this campaign on a bang, and they’re going to try target us as it’s going to be their finishing game.

“The Romanians, they’re hard people and they love to be physical - like us, we like to be physical.”

Adam Coleman, second-row

On the eligibility rule change allowing him and other players to represent Tonga:

“The rule change has made a lot of players available for Tonga and I think it’s awesome to see. A lot of people have been sitting on the sidelines not being able to play international rugby, including myself. It’s a privilege to play for Tonga and represent our country and our heritage.”