The Cowra Eagles are highly anticipating tonight’s trial match against an invitational side from the Canberra Tongan Community at the Hartley street rugby grounds played as part of the Festival of International Understanding.
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The Eagles players will have the rare experience of facing the Tongan’s while they perform their traditional war dance, the Sipi Tau, and will play in front of the Princess of Tonga.
Cowra are coming off a tough trek to Wagga where Ag College piled on 31 points to Cowra’s 17 but they will welcome back a number of regular starters tonight and have prepared for a hard challenge.
Cowra Eagles president James Keady added how excited the entire club is ahead of the match.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming the princess and the Tongan side,” James Keady said.
“We had a working bee at the ground during the week and I think it’s the most people we’ve ever had come along to help out so everyone’s very excited.
“I know there’s people coming from all around the district so it should be really good.”
Festival of International Understanding coordinator Kylie Wood says spectators will be in for a treat.
“We couldn’t have Tonga as a guest nation and not have a rugby match,” Kylie Wood said.
“It’s been really well received by the Tongan community and in Cowra.
“There’ll be 50 to 100 Tongans coming from the Tongan community in Canberra and the Princess is going to be in attendance as well, it’s going to be great spectacle,” she said.
The Cowra Wallas will begin the action from 5.30pm before the main game at 7pm.