Tonga triumph over Samoa 32-18

Tonga have secured themselves a World Cup quarterfinal berth with a 32-18 win over Samoa in front of a packed house at Waikato Stadium.

The atmosphere at the ground was incredible, helped by the passion and intensity shown by both teams just before kick-off. Both teams put in spirited efforts across the eighty minutes.

The Tongans scored two tries to one in the first half to head into the sheds leading 14-6. Centre Michael Jennings has continued his World Cup try-scoring spree, picking up a double in the first forty minutes to add to the hat-trick he scored last week against Scotland.

His first try came in the 10th minute, after Samoan winger Ken Maumalo spilled a last tackle kick and Jennings was on hand to pounce on the ball to score.

The Samoans hit back with a try to hooker Jazz Tevaga in the 17th minute, after he burrowed his way over from dummy half from close range. That leveled the scores at 6-all.

The Tongans then landed a penalty goal before Jennings scored his second try in the 29th minute, again from a kick. Winger Daniel Tupou used his height to bat a bomb back infield and Jennings again was there to ground the ball for a try.

The Tongans then skipped away to 26-6 after scoring the first two tries of the second half. The first came in the 51st minute after interchange forward Peni Terepo used his strength to get the ball down under the posts, despite the attention of several defenders.

Then in the 59th minute, fellow interchange forward Ben Murdoch-Masila used his size and momentum to get the ball over the line after running strongly onto a ball from five-eighth Tui Lolohea.

But the Samoans refused to give up, responding with two tries of their own to reduce the margin to 26-18 and give their fans some hope of a miracle comeback. The first came in the 64th minute, when prop Junior Paulo offloaded a great ball to halfback Ben Roberts for a try.

In the 72nd minute, centre Tim Lafai used his footwork and size to plant the ball down for a try out wide.

The Tongans then steadied the ship though and finished the job with a try in the 78th minute to backrower Manu Ma’u, who ran onto a great ball from halfback Ata Hingano.

Next week, Tonga will face their biggest test when they come up against New Zealand in their final round pool match, though both teams have already qualified for the quarterfinals. It will be interesting to see what reception backrower Jason Taumalolo gets from New Zealand fans and his former Kiwi teammates after his last-minute decision to play for Tonga at this tournament.

The loss today means that Samoa must win their final pool match against Scotland next week to make the quarterfinals, but they certainly haven’t lost any fans with their gutsy displays so far against Tonga and New Zealand.