WE are playing for pride against Wales on Sunday, says Tonga and Celtic Warriors scrum half Sililo Martens after last night's hefty 36-12 defeat against Italy at the Canberra Stadium.

The Tongans also suffered two major injury problems to make their plight even worse.

Captain Inoke Afeaki suffered a damaged knee and fellow flanker Ipolito Fenukitau dislocated a shoulder in the second minute as he high tackled Italian full back Gonzalo Canale and got yellow carded into the bargain.

The Tongans are now in grave danger of being eliminated from the World Cup, but insist all is not lost when they take on Wales.

"We've got to go the long road now, but we've got to go into the Wales game with confidence," said Martens.

"We were confident against Italy, but we let ourselves down. We did the reverse of what we had trained for. We should have kept it tight. I don't know why we didn't. It was disappointing.

"But we are here to the end, we won't give up, we'll see what our players have got left. We were expecting to win the first two games to make it easier for ourselves.

"Now there is no other option but to win against Wales. We have got to keep it tight and do what Italy did and kick to the corners.

"We have got to use the high ball, that could be the main focus against Wales. They played well against Canada and are looking pretty good. If Iestyn Harris plays we'll have to put the pressure on him."

Tonga coach Jim Love acknowledged the gravity of their situation. "It was devastating to lose two experienced players and it's important we get them back for Wales," he said.

"Wales becomes a priority for us now, it's full steam ahead though there isn't time to prepare properly especially with the injuries.

"It's particularly hard as we've no great depth, but I can assure you we'll give it our best shot."

Italy now clearly represent Wales' biggest rivals for a place in the quarter-finals and their decider is a week on Saturday at Canberra Stadium.

They have also unearthed another place-kicking danger man to replace the retired Diego Dominguez, Rima Wakarua booting 21 points against the Tongans on his debut.

He fired over five penalties and three conversions to seal an impressive victory, Italy winning the second half 27-5 after an ordinary first period.

Wakarua is a quietly spoken New Zealander\, who has been playing Second Division rugby since arriving in Italy from North Harbour four years ago, now qualified on residence.

He watched the first World Cup in New Zealand with his father, who is still playing back home at 52, and never dreamt he would be playing 16 years later

"I never thought even a month ago I would be in the World Cup squad, but I played against Georgia and two days later they rang me," he said.

"I was nervous in the beginning against Tonga, but that passed and I enjoyed it when I got into the game."