The South Sea Islanders provide the opposition for the third of four Tests in the Dove Men Series, with Wales having hammered Argentina in game two after being edged out by South Africa a week-and-a-half ago.
Tonga battled bravely in defeat to France last time out, scoring a brace of tries through Exeter wing Fetu’u Vainikolo before being beaten 38-18. They were narrowly beaten by Romania a fortnight ago in their tour opener but Latu is convinced they are already better for those experiences.
The 31-year-old flanker saw plenty of improvements in between the games in Bucharest and Paris and he insists his side always peak towards the end of their time together on tour.
“We usually hit our straps in our last Test match as it takes us that time to gel. We had the upper hand against Romania and France but little things didn’t go our way, like giving away stupid penalties. But we’ve been working really hard to target this game against Wales,” said Latu.
“We’re disappointed that we lost because we felt we were the better team but our discipline didn’t help us. We worked so hard just to come up short. Looking at France and Romania, both were defeats but both were games we felt we could have won.
“Having those two games under our belts just gives us more confidence going into this match. The hardest thing is that we only come together for November and the Pacific Nations Cup and we usually only have a week to prepare. We play all around the world and everyone has to travel to get together.”
Latu and co may be heading to the capital after back-to-back defeats but there is certainly no sense of his side looking for anything other than a famous win at the weekend.
With Wales head coach Warren Gatland having made 11 changes to the side that thrashed Argentina, Latu sees an opportunity to make history by matching Samoa’s memorable Millennium Stadium experience from this time last year.
“Wales are resting most of their boys for Australia and want to bring new guys in. Any player that takes the field will give 100 per cent but, at the same time, there’s an opportunity there for us as well,” added Latu.
“If you look at past results before 2007, every time Tonga, Fiji or Samoa played a Tier 1 nation it would be a 60-70 point loss. Now we are competing well because we are getting more of these games. Even though it is just one or two games it does make a big difference.
“We’re slowly closing the gap and are confident going into these matches. Even though a result hasn’t come our way, we are building something strong long-term.”
Head coach Mana Otai has made four changes to the Tongan starting XV following the defeat in France, with two of those alterations coming in the front row. Loosehead prop Sona Taumalolo is serving a four-match suspension after receiving a red card for punching French lock Yoann Maestri during last weekend’s clash in Le Havre, so he has been replaced by Melbourne Rebels star Eddie Aholelei, while Sila Puafisi comes in for tighthead Tevita Mailau.
Oyonnax back-row Viliami Ma’afu is named at No8 instead of Taniela Moa, while Latiume Fosita starts at fly-half in place of Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa.
Tonga (v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Friday, 7.30pm)
Vunga Lilo, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Siale Piutau, Sione Piukala, Viliami Helu, Latiume Fosita, Taniela Moa; Eddie Aholelei, Vaea Taione, Sila Puafisi, Lua Lokotui, Joe Tu’ineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Nili Latu (capt), Viliami Ma’afu
Replacements: Suliasi Taufalele, Taione Vea, Tevita Mailau, Hale T Pole, Opeti Fonua, Samisoni Fisilau, Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa, David Halaifonua
