Quote="JEAN CAPDOUZE"I still think that Tonga vs Italy could decide which of those two qualifies for the QFs.
Scotland exceeded my expectations, and those of everyone else who follows the game. But against Italy they will be playing a more disciplined side than Tonga, and a Grand Final winning full back who doesn't make three terrible blunders in one match.'"
It's difficult to judge as we've not seen the Cook Islands yet but I'd expect them to fancy their chances against Tonga going off tonight's performance.
The quality of coach and support staff is something that is starting to show in the last few days I think.
I don't know much about Charlie Tonga other than he was once a fringe firstgrader who played 22 NRL games for 2 clubs, but it shows that he isn't a top flight coach I think. Tonga had the cattle, he just didn't get them to perform.
On the other hand we have seen Rick Stone use NRL experienced support staff and put in the time with Fiji, and we see they have made huge strides since the last WC.
If a top flight coach had put the same amount of time and effort into Tonga as Stone put into Fiji, I think the talent he would have had to work with would mean we would see a very strong contender for the semis.
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