Tonga were at their destructive best in the final game of the Rugby League World Cup’s opening weekend, thrashing Scotland by 46 points.
The Tongans wasted no time getting the scoreboard ticking on an uncomfortably hot afternoon in Cairns, running up 38 first-half points.
Scotland hadn’t touched the ball when Michael Jennings scored his first try of the match, splitting the defence through the middle of the park.
The fun didn’t end there for Jennings, who put on a first-half hat-trick.
While Scotland appeared to be in the game for most of the first 20 minutes, the extra defence they were being asked to do in the warm conditions caught up with them, fatigue allowing the points to add up as Tonga scored six tries in the final 23 minutes of the first half.
Jason Taumalolo barged over next to the posts for the first of those, before Jennings had his second in the very next set. It was becoming clear by that point that Tonga were going to run away with the game and it became even more obvious when Sika Manu burst through the defence for a try.
Daniel Tupou was next over the line for Tonga as they moved ahead of the clock, before they bombed a couple of opportunities.
Scotland, still struggling to get their hands on the ball struggled to get back into it though, and another flurry before halftime saw Peni Terepo and Jennings extend the lead.
It wasn’t the same story after halftime. The game became a drop-a-thon, with errors and penalties characterising the game.
Danny Addy scored a consolation try for Scotland 18 minutes from fulltime as they physically matched Tonga, but a couple of lazy efforts in defence during the last ten minutes allowed tries to Tupou and Ata Hingano as Tonga made a half-century.
Both teams will now jump on a plane bound for New Zealand with Scotland set to play the co-hosts in Christchurch and Tonga facing Samoa in Waikato next week.
Tonga 50
Scotland 4
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yes, discipline is an issue. You would imagine that they will build on that performance and work on being more composed. If they do, who knows what they can achieve?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Tonga unleashed an absolute blitzkrieg in the first half. Big. Strong. Fast. But they stayed in the dressing sheds at half time. The second half was very poor from them. Scrappy; ill-disciplined. Really, they should have put on a 100. If they concentrate for the 80 minutes, there is no reason why they shouldn't be in the final. JT13 as usual was a massive weapon.
Kieron
Guest
The Tongan team look very powerful in the forwards and backs. If the halves pairing can continue to take control Tonga will hurt some of the big teams. Also, discipline, defusing bombs and not spilling the ball needs to be addressed.