FORUMS FORUMS






RLFANS.COM
Celebrating
25 years service to
the Rugby League
Community!
  

Looking through the group stages fixtures many people will have picked out today’s clash between Samoa and Tonga as one of the must-see games. Two massive sides battling it out in the heat of Hamilton as an intense rivalry hit the World Cup.

 

Tonga were big favourites after their win in the opening round to beat a Samoa side who lost to New Zealand in their opening World Cup fixture.

 

The tension between the two neighbouring islands had been building all week and reached a crescendo at kick-off after some amazing pre-match cultural exchanges.

 

Tonga opened the scoring on nine minutes when Samoan Ken Maumalo failed to deal with a grubber kick through and the ball was picked up by Michael Jennings just short of the line and carried over and grounded. The goal was added by Sio Taukeiaho for 6-0.

 

On Samoa’s first foray into the Tongan twenty, after absorbing sixteen minutes of pressure, Jazz Tevanga managed to burrow his way to the line and ground under a pile of tacklers. The goal was added by Tim Lafai to level the scores.

 

Tonga elected to kick the second of two penalties awarded close to the Samoan line and Taukeiaho edged his side two points ahead. On their next foray Tonga got their second try. A high kick from Ata Hingano was tapped back by Daniel Tupou and picked up by Jennings to dive over for his second. Taukeiaho kicked his third goal for 14-6.

 

Tonga were starting to dominate but Samoa still looked dangerous when they could get the ball in their hands.

 

The first try of the second half came on fifty-one minutes when Peni Terepo used his strength to drag three Samoan tacklers over the line with him. Ata Hingano added the conversion for 20-6 and the game was getting away from Samoa.

 

Ben Murdoch-Manila got in on the scoring on fifty-nine when he slid over from close range. Referee Cummins suspected a double movement but the video referee pressed the green button. Hingano kicked the two for a twenty point lead.

 

Samoa stopped the rot offload from Joseph Paulo to Ben Roberts who went the remaining ten metres to score under the sticks. Lafai added the conversion for 12-26. On seventy-two some terrific footwork from Lafai saw him confuse the Tonga defence and make it to the line. He kicked the goal himself to reduce the arrears to eight points with as many minutes remaining.

 

Any thoughts of a fightback were crushed on seventh-seven when Manu Ma’u found the smallest of gaps to make it to the line and ground. Hingano kicked the extras for a 32-18 win.

 

Despite looking second best for long periods Samoa gave the much fancied Tonga a great game which thrilled the vociferous crowd. Tonga are into the quarter finals and many neutrals will be keenly anticipating their final group game against New Zealand next weekend. 

 

Tonga: Hopoate, Fusitua, Jennings (2T), Kata, Tupou, Lolohea, Hingano (3G), Fifita, Katoa, Taukeiaho (3G), Ma’u (T), Manu, Taumalolo.  Subs: Havili, Terepo (T), Murdoch-Masila (T), Moa.

 

Samoa: Tonumaipia, Leutele, Lafai (T, 3G), Leilua, Maumalo, Junior Paulo, Roberts (T), Joseph Paulo, Tevaga (T), Ese’ese, Papalii, Pritchard, Ah Ma’u.  Subs: Brown, Musgrove, Lisone, Afoa.

 

Referee: Ben Cummins.

 

Half-Time: 14-6.

 

Full-Time: 32-18.

 

Attendance: 18,156.

 



facebook sharing button
twitter sharing button
pinterest sharing button
email sharing button
sharethis sharing button


Posted by RLFANS News Hound on Sat 4th Nov 2017 8:35 AM | Views : 37088 | Replies : 1 | BACK TO STORIES



All views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the RLFANS.COM or its subsites.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that news stories, articles and images are correct, we cannot be held responsible for errors. However, if you feel any material on this website is copyrighted or incorrect in any way please contact us using the link at the top of the page so we can remove it or negotiate copyright permission.

RLFANS.COM, the owners of this website, is not responsible for the content of its sub-sites or posts, please email the author of this sub-site or post if you feel you find an article offensive or of a choice nature that you disagree with.

Copyright 1999 - 2024 RLFANS.COM

You must be 18+ to gamble, for more information and for help with gambling issues see https://www.begambleaware.org/.



Please Support RLFANS.COM


5.1240234375:5
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
Squad for Catalan
fez1
11
2m
No grade A for 2025 for Trinity
Khlav Kalash
24
2m
2024 Southstandercom Prediction Competition Week 6
technology_t
31
14m
The Bulls away
terry silver
9
15m
Game - Song Titles
Wanderer
34273
17m
BORED The Band Name Game
Wanderer
55987
17m
TV Games - Not Hull
WIZEB
1380
31m
Stats article
Sir Gregory
5
42m
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Uncle Rico
16
43m
Saints a
Warrior Wing
21
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
37s
Smith out ASAP
Backwoodsman
138
42s
TV Games - Not Hull
WIZEB
1380
46s
Squad for Sheffield
AdamH
1
49s
Halifax H
Maccbull_Big
32
56s
Fevround 2
Wollo-Wollo-
89
1m
This weeks disciplinary
sir adrian m
1007
1m
Shopping list for 2025
Tarquin Fueg
405
1m
WIRE YED Prediction Competition Catalans Home
karetaker
14
1m
London Away
Fartown58
1
1m
New Super League shirts in time for Christmas
The Curtism
114
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Stats article
Sir Gregory
5
TODAY
21 man Squads - Devils v Leopards
Septimius Se
2
TODAY
Squad for Catalan
fez1
11
TODAY
The Wigan Way - New Podcast - Chairman Special
Jukesays
1
TODAY
Dons v Swinton Lions 30 June 2024
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Squad for Sheffield
AdamH
1
TODAY
London Away
Fartown58
1
TODAY
The Bulls away
terry silver
9
TODAY
The official Leon Hayes Thread
Uncle Rico
16
TODAY
Saints a
Warrior Wing
21
TODAY
Leon Ruan signs on loan
Jemmo
2
TODAY
Wardle
Jo Jumbuck
3
TODAY
Huddersfield - Home
Fartown58
6
TODAY
Max Wood on loan to Bradford 2 weeks
rubber ducki
7
TODAY
Jake Wardle 5 Year deal
Zig
22
TODAY
No grade A for 2025 for Trinity
Khlav Kalash
24
TODAY
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangements
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Rd 6 I Cas A
Rockinhorse
21
TODAY
WIRE YED Prediction Competition Catalans Home
karetaker
14
TODAY
Spare Tickets Friday
post
4
TODAY
RL Podcast
AgbriggAmble
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
Cup Quarter Final TV Arrangeme..
494
2024 Challenge Cup Quarter Fin..
622
Easy Does It For The Dragons A..
546
Warrington Demolish London For..
654
Leigh Leopards Beat Plucky Fea..
706
Saints Triumph Over Disappoint..
682
Easy Win for the Wolves Over L..
929
Dragons Condemn Castleford To ..
905
Leigh Leopards Secure First Po..
1048
St Helens Tame The Rhinos To W..
1021
Wigan Warriors Come From Behin..
1076
Betfred Championship and Leagu..
1067
2024 Challenge Cup Sixth Round..
3838
Featherstone Win Extra Time Cu..
1188
Dragons Triumph Over Hull FC t..
1065