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 |
Match result:
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
Match preview:
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
deucer
Roar Rookie
Good on Tonga - they seem to go from strength to strength and managed to pull a crowd of just over 9,000, so are certainly enthusiastic fans, but how relevant is the Lions concept these days? Decades ago there would have been a strong contingent of Welsh players, athough Scotland and Ireland wouldn't have had a look in, but how many of the current crop come from outside of England?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Tonga really wanted that win and England looked powerless to stop them. The Tongan forwards were immense. England were under the pump the whole game and apart from Bateman I couldn't see where their points would come from. Hastings looked lost and Hall is well past it. Lolohea surprised me. He looked a lot more in control of his game than when he was in the NRL. Hopefully George Williams gets a crack in the next game.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I know it’s off topic, but at 45 mins England leading All Blacks 15-0.
drazen miljanovic
Guest
how will australia do next week over tonga I tipp them buy 4 points australia
Renegade
Roar Guru
I agree mate, it was a beauty.... much higher quality than last night!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Tonga 14 Great Britain 6 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.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Andrew , thanks for the call. Good job.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Nice call Andrew, this was a great game to watch
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Fair dinkum, last night and now tonight would drive a bloke to watch the ladies footy. I swear.
Insider
Roar Rookie
England look boring and tiered, but like Wayne
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Huge thanks for your call, Andrew.
Renegade
Roar Guru
That was a test match for the purists, hard fought and intense.... did not see that result coming!!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Good win by Tonga. I thought they did it the hard way when they kept turning over ball. I thought they could have put the game to bed early in the 2nd but their handling errors kept GB in the game. They also surely have the best fans, just a sea of red!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
80' - Game over! Josh Hodgson with the grubber and it is dived on by Daniel Tupou - time will run out. TONGA - 14 GREAT BRITAIN - 6
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Andrew , Britain needs more than a quick score. They need a heart transplant.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
78' - John Bateman, who has looked most likely for Great Britain, slices through and is taken 40 out. The ball goes to the air and Tonga come up with a mistake. Lions ball close to their line but it should be too late. TONGA - 14 GREAT BRITAIN - 6
Renegade
Roar Guru
Taking the 2 with 17 mins left on the clock to go 3 tries ahead would be a smart option in any game.... even more so in a test match, this has been good!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
77' - Tuimoala Lolohea kicks on the last and Great Britain will need to score after starting their set deep inside their own half. Looks a bridge too far for them. TONGA - 14 GREAT BRITAIN - 6
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
76' - Jackson Hastings finds space and is 40 out, links with Ryan Hall, Lions trailing inside him and he tries to pass to them but the ball spills out forward and that may be it. TONGA - 14 GREAT BRITAIN - 6
Stormy
Roar Rookie
This game is so much better than the one last night. No