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Tonga versus England: A great exhibition of rugby league

25th November, 2017
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Gareth Widdop of England at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup (NRLPhotos/Gregg Porteous)
Roar Guru
25th November, 2017
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1743 Reads

I don’t know about you, but that Tonga versus England game had me on the edge of my seat. The game had it all – rock-solid defence, blistering attack and controversy.

The game was a sell-out. The King of Tonga flew to New Zealand to be one of the many in the sea of red. Once again the Tongan war cry sent shivers down the spines of all who watched it, while the crowd cheered with emotion not often witnessed in rugby league. The game was set to be a classic, and both teams delivered spectacularly.

England had not played in a world cup final since 1995. They had come agonisingly close in 2013 only for a last-gasp try from New Zealand to seal their fate. The English were determined not to have history repeat itself in 2017.

The game started at a frantic pace with both England and Tonga going set for set. It took until just short of the 10th minute for England to finally get on the scoreboard. A clear backline movement from a scrum piece saw the ball go through the hands of Luke Gale, Kevin Brown, and Gareth Widdop before Jermaine McGillvary crossed untouched in the corner. This precision to play is not something the English have done on a regular basis.

The next try went to the video referee. Widdop had scored to extend the English lead but Andrew Fifita claimed to have held him up. Enough evidence suggested that it was a try. England led 12 to nil after 16 minutes.

This lead allowed England to exert its control. However, the Tongan side did not give up the hunt. They ran hard and tackled harder. The Tongans were warriors raging into battle. The game reached halftime with England holding onto the 12-nil lead.

(NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous)

The passion of the Tongan fans has undoubtedly convinced the powers that be in the NRL that more internationals need to occur for the categorised minnow nations. However, there was nothing minnow about this Tongan team. The team consisted of giants with the pace of Olympic sprinters – yet the wall of white refused to budge.

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Some may claim Wayne Bennett to be an ogre while others consider him to be a wizard with the magic touch. Whatever your viewpoint, his teams are based on solid defence, and this England team has heart and resolve.

The English withstood the pressure that the Tongans applied and forced them into errors. The Burgess brothers, especially Tom, were hitting harder than heavyweight boxers. Gale and Brown seem to have a fluid combination, with Widdop filling in nicely when required. To be honest, I feel that this is the most potent England team in years.

But questions remained: could England sustain their level of play for an entire 80 minutes? A 49th-minute penalty goal had extended the English lead to 14, but it was the try in the 66th by John Bateman that had wrapped the gift for England. In everyone’s view they had just booked their ticket to Brisbane for the final. They were ahead 20 to nil.

(NRL Photos/Shane Wenzlick)

But rugby league is a beautiful game. It does not matter who you are competing against; every play matters. The Tongans had not lost their spirit, and for them the fight continued. For the English, their eyes were turned to the clock.

The last six and half minutes was chaos in war. It was a gift for the fans, and it was a reflection of the Tongan never-say-die attitude.

Firstly, Tevita Pangai Junior barged over from close range in the 72nd minute. Secondly, lazy English defence saw Siliva Havili scoot from dummy half and beat some weak tackle attempts to close the gap. The Tongans were down 20-12 with less than four minutes to play. I knew things were risky from here. The English had lost control; the Tongans were on the march to glory.

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I had seen this happen too many times. I could list countless Origin games where Queensland was out only to come home to win. I remember a couple of years ago when the Roosters struck twice in three minutes to beat Souths, and then later in the same season South Sydney reversed the trend to do the same to the Roosters.

The Tongan team attacked from the outset like a hunter targeting its prey. The wrecking ball, Jason Taumolo, burst through the line, busting through tired tacklers to send Tuimoala Lolohea past Gareth Widdop and on the way to the try line. With two minutes to go the Tongan team were only down by two.

(NRL Photos/Grant Trouville)

For the Tongan fans it was pure happiness; for the English the ghosts of four years ago were resurfacing. The English were on the ropes, and all the Tongans had to do was deliver the knockout blow. They pushed harder, but the English were hanging on as though their life depended on it. The Tongan team pushed it wide; however, they did not see McGillvary race up to rejoin the defensive line.

An intercept! Game over! No, wait – one-on-one strip and the Tongan team had the ball again for another set with a minute to play. They went on the attack one last time.

The ball went wide to Fifita, who streamrolled past Kevin Brown’s attempted tackle before a lunging Elliot Whitehead forced the ball loose. The referee called knock-on almost instantly, but, neither Fifita nor the fans heard the whistle as he regathered the ball and planted it over the line for what he thought was the winning try. The game was over. England had held on for a famous win.

Fans at home and the ground were left stunned by the call. Although, since he made the call right away, he was never going to be able to reverse his decision and go to the video referee. In my opinion the right call was made. However, I accept that others may disagree.

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In the end all can agree that it was a beautiful exhibition of the game of rugby league, the quality of the players and the passion of the fans. It showcased to all why rugby league is the greatest game of all.

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