Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Sport: Tonga keen to show progress in Wellington

Posted at 22:33 on 28 January, 2013 UTC

Tonga coach Etuate Waqa says this weeks Wellington Sevens is a chance to show on the field the strides his team is making off it.

The Wellington tournament is just the second for Tonga on this year’s world circuit but holds happy memories after their run to the Plate final 12 months ago.

Waqa says he backs his players to do well.

“After the Gold Coast we have made a lot of progress from then. We have been taking part on some other tournaments before we come down to Wellington and this is a big one for us, especially just to set the platform for this year. Coming down to Wellington we’re very excited about it because we’ve got out goals to achieve and I think this should be exciting for everyone.”

Meanwhile the Fiji-born Rocky Khan has been named as one of two new caps in the All Blacks Sevens team for Wellington.

Khan turned down approaches from Fiji rugby to sign a sevens contract with the New Zealand union.