Tonga overpower Canada in first meeting

Tonga took a decisive 28-3 result over Canada in the first match of their two-test series in Nuku’alofa. The power of the Ikale Tahi in the contact area was too much for the visitors, who failed to score any points at all in the second half despite playing most of it with a one-man advantage.

It didn’t take long for Tonga to find the scoreboard. An early scrum penalty led to an attacking throw-in. There was little in the way of opposition as Sam Moli peeled away from the maul and fell over the line for the try. Tane Takulua curled over the extras to make it a full seven.

The visitors had a reply at the end of a long attacking sequence. Robbie Povey chipped over the defense and regathered, leading to a penalty just a few meters out from the Tongan line. There was no thought of pressing for a try, however, with Peter Nelson instead sending the ball through the uprights.

A highlight-reel score was next for Tonga. Afusipa Taumoepeau was caught behind the gainline but managed to flick a backhanded offload to Fine Inisi. The winger stepped back inside and tore upfield, finding Takulua in support for a runaway finish. Two more points from the captain made it 14-3 to the home side.

The Canadians began to press for a score and their scrum got the edge. After getting no favors from the referee, at last a yellow card was handed to Solomone Funaki for repeat team infringements. Tonga managed to hold out and after a turnover won a penalty, which led to a try from close range to Sione Vailanu on the stroke of halftime.

Early in the second half a dangerous lifting tackle from George Moala on Ben LeSage resulted in a red card to the former All Black. It hardly bothered the Tongans as they powered ahead through the pack, with Vailanu barging over the line for his double. Takulua bounced the conversion over off the post and it was 28-3 to the Ikale Tahi.

Replacements streamed into the match during the final quarter and neither side could achieve much in the way of continuity. One final attack from Canada at fulltime came to nothing as the ball was lost in contact over the line. The two sides will rematch at the same venue in five days’ time.

 

SCORING

TONGA 28
Tries (4) – S. Moli (4′), T. Takulua (18′), S. Vailanu 2 (40’+2′, 52′)
Cons (4) – T. Takulua 4/4 (5′, 19′, 40’+3′, 53′)
YC (1) – S. Funaki (32′)
RC (1) – G. Moala (45′)

CANADA 3
Pens (1) – P. Nelson 1/1 (11′)

 

TEAMS

TONGA
1 Tau Koloamatangi (17 Fe’ao Fotu’aika 43′), 2 Sam Moli (16 Paula Ngauamo 43′), 3 David Lolohea (18 Ben Tameifuna HT), 4 Steve Mafi (19 Vaea Fitita 68′), 5 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 6 Solomone Funaki, 7 Sione Havili, 8 Sione Vailanu (20 Lopeti Timani 54′), 9 Tane Takulua (capt.), 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Fine Inisi, 12 George Moala, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau (22 Otumaka Mausia 68′), 15 Afusipa Taumoepeau (23 Solomone Kata 63′)

Not used: 21 Johnny Ika

CANADA
1 Liam Murray (17 Djustice Sears-Duru HT), 2 Andrew Quattrin (16 Foster DeWitt 64′), 3 Conor Young (18 Cole Keith HT), 4 Izzak Kelly, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Mason Flesch (19 Piers von Dadelszen 52′), 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.) (20 Sion Parry 72′), 8 Siaki Vikilani (21 Travis Larsen 68′), 9 Ross Braude (22 Jason Higgins 74′), 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Isaac Olson, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Ben LeSage (23 Mitch Richardson 48′), 14 Kainoa Lloyd, 15 Peter Nelson

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistants: James Doleman (New Zealand) & Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji)
TMO: n/a