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Tonga Invitational XIII
14
Match Complete
Great Britain
6
| 70 |  | G. Widdop | ||
| 69 |  | J. Bateman | ||
| S. Taukeiaho |  | 63 | ||
| S. Katoa | | 40 | ||
| S. Taukeiaho | | 40 | ||
| S. Taukeiaho | | 31 | ||
| M. Jennings | | 29 |
| 2 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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A contender for try of the year highlighted a spirited 14-6 upset win for Tonga over Great Britain on Saturday night.
The try saw the ball go through 14 sets of hands after the half-time siren went, ending with Michael Jennings kicking ahead for Sione Katoa as the Tongan fans were sent into delirium.
The sea of red, as always, was a sight to see as they stood proud alongside the players who had been vocal in their criticism of the Tongan board sacking reinstated coach Kristian Woolf.
The passion was on full display as the Tongan big men hit and ran hard, starting front rowers Siosiua Taukeiaho and Addin Fonua-Blake running for 254 and 170 metres respectively.
It was the aggression up front that paved the way for Tonga to dominate field position in the opening half, with both tries coming off unorthodox kicks.
Woolfs’ men were guilty of ill-discipline in the second half as risky offloads put them under constant pressure.
John Bateman’s mix of speed and power eventually cracked them in the 70th minute, the Raiders forward best on ground for the Lions with 173 running metres and eight tackle busts.
Great Britain couldn’t set up a grandstand finish though, Tonga securing a hard-fought 14-6 win to establish themselves as strong contenders on the International stage.
Final score
Tonga 14
Great Britain 6
Tonga face Great Britain in an international Test for the first time in over 30 years at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the game, starting at 6pm (AEDT).
Controversy ensued the last time these two sides met, with England surviving a late scare to hold on for a slender 20-18 win in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Both sides are stacked with first-grade experience but it is the firepower up front where Tonga could hold the advantage.
Andrew Fifita, Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake, Tevita Pangai-Junior and Siosiua Taukeiaho headline their pack, bringing plenty of punch and fire power.
All five also possess the second-phase play needed to create space and points against the Lions.
Great Britain, on the other hand, have the upper hand in the halves with Gareth Widdop and 2019 Man of Steel Blake Austin to form a dangerous combination.
Tonga will also have plenty of added motivation with emotions riding high in the lead-up to Saturday’s game.
Fifita, Taumalolo and Jennings all threatened to boycott last week’s Nines tournament and Saturday’s test unless Kristian Woolf was reinstated as coach alongside other changes.
Woolf has invited Tongan fans to support the team amid the disruption, with an even more passionate sea of red expected for the match.
Prediction
Look for Tonga to win this one with more to play for.
Tonga by 10.
Kick-off: 6pm (AEDT)
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
TV: Live, Fox League 502 and Channel 9
Online: Live, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, 9Now
Betting: England $1.70, Tonga $2.20
Tonga
John Asiata, Andrew Fifita, Addin Fonua-Blake, David Fusitu’a, Siliva Havili, Ata Hingano, William Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell, Michael Jennings, Sione Katoa, Tuimoala Lolohea, Manu Ma’u, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Joe Ofahengaue, Tevita Pangai Jnr, Kotoni Staggs, Tevita Tatola, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Jason Taumalolo, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua
Great Britain
James Graham, Blake Austin, John Bateman, Tom Burgess, Daryl Clark, Jake Connor, Lachlan Coote, Oliver Gildart, Zak Hardaker, Jackson Hastings, Ryan Hall, Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Jack Hughes, Josh Jones, Jonny Lomax, Jermaine McGillvary, Joe Philbin, Luke Thompson, Jake Trueman, Alex Walmsley, Elliott Whitehead, Gareth Widdop, George Williams
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