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The number 3 seeds at RWC 2019, England completed a bonus point win over Tonga to begin their campaign strongly. Played this morning in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo, England were frustrated by the Tongans, only cleaning the bonus point in the final minutes.
The hard-fought win saw the teams locked at 3-3 early on following penalties from Owen Farrell and Tane Takulua. It was a reflection of the evenness of the tight battle.
England’s advantage stood tall in one area though, the kick return. When Tonga kicked to the back-three the English would rampage their way back every time. This would be the case for both of Manu Tuilagi’s tries. His tries as well as kicks from Farrell would take England to an 18-3 half-time lead.
In the second half England would score through hooker Jamie George and replacement prop Luke Cowan-Dickie. With it England open with five competition points while Tonga are bottom of the pool with zero. France’s win over Argentina saw the winners claiming four and the losers one.
Despite losing by a large margin Tonga certainly left their mark on England. In the first half flanker Zane Kapeli put in a perfect tackle on England’s leading ball-carrier, Billy Vunipola. The hit was cheered on by all in attendance.
England’s second match will be the USA’s first. The game will take place on Thursday in Kobe. Tonga will also be up against an opponent from the Americas. Their second game is to be on Saturday against Argentina in Osaka. The latter of these fixtures is to be a must-win match for both competitors.
SCORING
ENGLAND 35
Tries – M. Tuilagi 2 (24’, 31’), J. George (57’), L. Cowan-Dickie (77’)
Cons – O. Farrell 3/4 (32’, 58’, 78’)
Pens – O. Farrell 3/3 (10’, 36’, 42’)
TONGA 3
Pens – T. Takulua 1/2 (14’)
TEAMS
ENGLAND
1 Joe Marler (17 Ellis Genge 50’), 2 Jamie George (16 Luke Cowan-Dickie 58’), 3 Kyle Sinkler (18 Dan Cole 58’), 4 Courtney Lawes (19 George Kruis 56’), 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill (20 Lewis Ludlam 55’), 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Ben Youngs (21 Willi Heinz 56’), 10 George Ford (23 Jonathan Joseph 68’), 11 Jonny May (22 Henry Slade 53’), 12 Owen Farrell (capt.), 13 Manu Tuilagi, 14 Anthony Watson, 15 Elliot Daly
TONGA
1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (17 Latu Talakai 63’), 2 Sefo Sakalia (16 Siua Maile 61’), 3 Ben Tameifuna (18 Ma’afu Fia 50’), 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Leva Fifita (19 Dan Faleafa 72’), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Zane Kapeli, 8 Ma’ama Vaipulu (20 Nasi Manu 58’), 9 Tane Takulua (21 Leon Fukofuka 61’), 10 Kurt Morath (22 James Faiva 50’), 11 Viliami Lolohea, 12 Cooper Vuna, 13 Siale Piutau (capt.), 14 Afa Pakalani (23 Nafi Tu’itavake HT), 15 David Halaifonua
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistants: Mathieu Raynal (France) & Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
