Tonga keep faith in faith
Despite having only one win from three games so far they are not despondent.
Instead they are hoping for a miracle when they play the All Blacks in their final Pool C match at St James' Park on Friday.
Miracles do happen they say, pointing to their 2011 side who beat eventual finalists France 19-14 in pool play.
"I believe we can win," said captain Nili Latu of their All Blacks clash.
But even if that proves too much for the gallant islanders, a strong showing against the All Blacks may give hope to young Tongans struggling in the tiny island kingdom with an economy heavily dependent on remittances from Tongans living abroad.
Coach Mana Otai said rugby was a "God-given talent" and playing the All Blacks was an opportunity "to bless others with it".
"If it is to inspire our youngsters that there are other ways to be recognised other than on the wrong side of the tracks, to come and play for their home country," he said
Although their faith had not brought success on the field, wing Siale Piutau, said that was not an issue.
"Every other team focusses on tactical, technical, physical, mental, but for this squad the spiritual side of things is probably one of the main key ones," he said.
"The tournament hasn't gone the way we wanted but there's been a lot of things that have happened within the squad, for players, stuff you can't really put victories on.
"Yes, it hasn't happened on the field for us but in our personal lives we've had little victories."
Like Otai, Piutau is hoping the performances of this Tonga side inspires a new generation of players and prevents their rising stars taking up big money contracts off shore and switching national allegiance.
"The hardest thing for this squad is getting players growing up who want to play for this team.
"What we're hoping to do is not only leave a legacy but also inspire a lot of young Tongan boys around the world."
Piutau, whose brother Charles has played for the All Blacks, is one of 12 members of the Tongan squad born overseas, most of them in New Zealand.
Malakai Fekitoa is the only Tongan-born member of the New Zealand squad.
Agence France-Presse
