England v Tonga preview, by Garth Hamilton
Can Tonga beat England?
For the sake of every World Cup upset that nearly was, I hope so. For the Fijians who fought against France in 2003, the Samoans and Welsh against England in the same year and the Welsh again a week later against New Zealand. For Georgia’s brave stance against Ireland this year, Tonga’s loss to South Africa that came down to the last bounce of the ball and Canada’s half time lead against the Welsh. For America’s determination against England and the struggle Namiba put to Ireland in the first round.
If there sits on high a god dedicated to the fortunes of rugby and her many lovers then surely this benevolent being has finished teasing us with the prospect of the next great World Cup miracle and will deliver it this Friday. Not since this heavenly muse plucked at Samoan hearts when they ran passed Wales in Cardiff have we seen one of rugby’s underclass take their place with rugby’s royalty.
A Tongan victory over England would be just as impressive. The world’s rugby lovers need it to feel that the game is progressing beyond the boundaries of its historical heartlands. Unfortunately I fear the weight of the world, or at least that of England, will prove too much for the Islanders who might have already played their ‘final’.
Tonga don’t have the forward pack to match England at the restarts. Deprived of running rugby the red rose may be but its war chest remains bountifully stocked with frontrowmen well versed in scrums and lineouts. Like their neighbours, Samoa and Fiji, the fat man’s work has so far proven the Achilles’ heal of the Tongans and it will do so again against the English.
Tonga don’t have the experience to close out a game like the English do. Happily oblivious of rugby’s battle to win the hearts and minds of new fans through entertaining play, the English will point to the sticks at every penalty within 50 metres. Should this fail England will resort to their more adventurous Plan B; drop goals. Samoa’s only hope will be to score and convert tries quicker than England can amass penalties/drop goals and thus force England to resort to Plan C. This last option apparently looks a lot like both Plans A and B but with a heightened sense of panic.
In fairness the English decision to play Olly Barkley at inside centre is the best one of Brian Ashton’s career. However given the importance of this game it is unlikely that England will choose to give Barkley his head when a perfectly good up and under can be delivered. Look to the English to suffocate and frustrate the Tongans who, although they will go down fighting, unfortunately and almost inevitably will go down.
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