Tonga were at their destructive best in the final game of the Rugby League World Cup’s opening weekend, thrashing Scotland by 46 points.
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Final score
Scotland 4
Tonga 50
The first week of action at the Rugby League World Cup wraps up with a hugely important game between Tonga and Scotland in Cairns. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:15pm (AEDT).
Group B is seen as the group of death, and with good reason. Tonga were supposed to be the odd one out according to the international rugby league rankings, but they have named a squad far beyond anything they have previously put together.
With three of the top six teams placed in the group, the Pacific Islanders threw a spanner in the works with the addition of Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo.
If they can find a way to score points, then they will be a real threat to New Zealand when that match is played in a few weeks.
For now though, the Tongans have to deal with Scotland, and it’s an assignment which may prove tricky despite their favouritism.
While the Tongan pack is potentially the best at the Cup – on top of Taumalolo and Fifita, they have Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Sika Manu, Manu Ma’u and Sam Moa, not to mention Joe Ofahengaue, who has missed out – their halves could be a cause for concern.
Tuimoala Lolohea will join youngster Ata Hingano, who struggled to get regular first-grade time at the New Zealand Warriors this season.
However, a backline consisting of Will Hopoate, Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings and the scary combination of Konrad Hurrell and Manu Vatuvei means this well-rounded team could cause some serious damage.
Yet Scotland won’t go down without a fight.
They come in missing plenty of experience, with injuries to Kane Linnett, Lachlan Coote, Peter Wallace and Dragons centre Euan Aitken.
Danny Brough will be tasked with leading the side, as he did in 2013 when they made the final stages of the tournament. He will be joined in the halves by Daniel Addy, who has spent most of the season playing in the forwards, but is still a talented ball player.
Lewis Tierney will have a huge job to do at the back, but it’s in the forwards where Scotland might get beaten. They simply won’t have the size, go forward or defence to match Tonga.
Prediction
Tonga’s potential lack of scoring is an issue, but even with Danny Brough firing, Scotland won’t pick up victory.
Tonga by 10.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 5:15pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup as Tonga completed the opening week with a big win over Scotland. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. It's been a great weekend of action, and we will have another seven games coming your way next weekend, starting with Australia and France next Friday at 8pm (AEDT). Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME That'll do it. A convincing win for Tonga here in Cairns as they run out the clock, Konrad Hurrell taking the final tackle of the game. It was a first-half onslaught for the Tongans. They scored 38 points, only challenged by the clock and then held on in the second half. There is improvement needed, but we will get a real assessment next week when they travel to New Zealand for a match with Samoa. Scotland, on the other hand will be hoping Tonga hand Samoa a beating and then hoping they themselves can get the better of Samoa in their final group game. Scotland 4 Tonga 50
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - Scotland working to the left, but not much on before a grubber goes back to the right and Tupou brings it back strongly. Scotland 4 Tonga 50
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - The kick-off lands in no mans land, but sits up for a rampaging Fifita who brings it back. Manu brings it down the left-hand side, before Taumalolo goes up towards halfway. Havili now goes from dummy half and drops it out of the tackle. Scotland 4 Tonga 50
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO Scotland 4 Tonga 50
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - TRY TONGA, ATA HINGANO The Tongans with a strong set after points here. Up to halfway in four plays, before they spread right and Murdoch-Masila goes straight through the line from a short ball! There is no stopping him, and he then links with Ata Hingano who runs over easily. Tonga are about to go past the 50. Scotland 4 Tonga 48
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO Scotland 4 Tonga 44
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - TRY TONGA, DANIEL TUPOU Daniel Tupou can hardly believe his luck here! He was standing in the line, a pass in the direction of Tierney lands in his lap and he races 90 metres to score under the posts, finishing with a front flip. Too easy, but a shame for Scotland who appeared to be somewhat setting up nicely there. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - Another penalty for Scotland. The end of this game is getting a bit sloppy, and now we have time off. Phil Bentham calls out Andrew Fifita for a warning. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - Oakes brings it away from the scrum for Scotland, before Stein goes over halfway and picks up a penalty. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - Tonga are back to halfway through Ma'u on the fourth play, before Fifita is stopped short on his run, the defence firing out of the line. He drops it as well trying to milk a penalty. Tonga have been pretty ordinary in this second half. They need to play the full 80 next week in the battle of the islands against Samoa. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - Russell goes from dummy half for Scotland, then it's a spread from left to right before they come over halfway. Brough fires a torpedo kick up with Vatuvei to bring it back. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - Vatuvei brings it away from the scrum for Tonga, then it's Jennings cutting in from the sideline, not making a great deal of metres before being stopped. Fifita with a run, then it's Havili from dummy half. Taukeiaho goes up towards halfway, then Hingano kicks low under pressure with Tierney to bring it back, going sideways and beating a few. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
68' - Brough through the middle for Scotland and he cuts out about four or five of his teammates to find Russell on the wing, but he drops it cold. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
67' - Another penalty here for Scotland. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
57' - Some good running here from Scotland to make halfway on the third through Russell and he wins a penalty. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
65' - The Tongans are back over halfway through Tupou, then it's Mau with a run. Forward pass down the short side to Hingano on the last though. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
64' - Pretty ordinary set after points for Scotland there. Tonga back to halfway through Hopoate. Scotland 4 Tonga 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVRSION MISSED by DANNY BROUGH Scotland 4 Tonga 38