Tonga Defence coach MacLeod - 'Scotland will look to humble our physical brutality'

Comments from Tonga's defence coach Dale MacLeod and wing Solomane Kata at a media briefing on Tuesday ahead of their match against Scotland in Nice on Sunday, 24 September.

Dale MacLeod, defence coach

On what they learned from playing Ireland in Saturday's 59-16 defeat:

"How good, how well drilled they were and from one to 15 they knew their roles. They executed really well, they are a very good side."

On Scotland:

"I expect Scotland to attack us in similar positions. We showed a few areas that cost us. They are a team who like to play edge to edge, they have a very good kicking game. They're going to chance their arms, they're going to play and they're going to enjoy not having South Africans run at them. 

"What will they fear from us? What everyone probably fears is just contact, the physical brutality the boys can bring so they will be looking to humble that early and look to play their game."

On if they needed SANZAAR/Six Nations opposition in a warm-up game:

"One hundred per cent. I think we are the only team who didn't play a tier-one nation or come early and play a game. We tried to organise one but then they couldn't do it. I suppose we got two games against Canada. You have to do what you have to do. It probably didn't set us up for where we needed to be but when you go into a World Cup and you've had a month off that is tough for anyone.

"We'll be better next week and the week after, we'll be probably hitting [our stride] by our last game which is not quite right."

On if Tonga beating Scotland 11 years ago gives them belief:

"The boys believe and I think if we go back to Ireland, we were probably too eager so we don't really want to fizz the boys up too much. We want to keep them cool, calm and collected, for them go out and do their jobs. They are all very good rugby players. 

"The boys believe we can beat anyone on the day but if we don't take our lessons from last week then we are going to get the same result."

On being an automotive and marine engineer:

"I was self employed, I had 12 staff, so how you interact with them and how you treat them is no different to a rugby team - being well organised and well planned. I used to race boats, that was the same; everything had to be right.

"So everything I was learning then I can apply here. I suppose it was the earthquakes that really made me have to choose one as the earthquakes in Christchurch brought my businesses down. So from there I was at a rugby club and they said 'we want you to come here full-time'. Once I found my staff new jobs, that was it and I turned to rugby."

Solomane Kata, wing

On how much better the team can be:

"We need to be better in all areas of our game, especially [with] the errors we gave away. Discipline, I think that is what is really important for us this week. We need to work on that really hard because I think that is where we got punished, especially against Ireland."

On Salesi Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa:

"They are really helpful, they have been around. Being in the All Blacks they have learned a lot from that and even now their leadership around the group [is good]."

On a story he wanted to retire at 22 years old:

"It was a little trick just to get out of rugby league. That's the only thing because I wanted to get out and come back to rugby [union], try something new, find motivation. Sometimes you have got to put up a trick and sneak out. I'm joking!"