England v Tonga saw the second of the Rugby League World Cup semi finals, and it is the English that will go through to the final against Australia after just hanging on against a fast finishing Tonga, who almost stole the game despite heading into the final 10 minutes down 20-0.
And the final 10 minutes was some of the best rugby league ever. The rest of the game wasn’t too bad either. In fact, one of the games of 2017, at this late stage of the season.
Read on for the full wrap up of the match, and see whether our preview was spot on.
For more match details, why not head to our 2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE.
ENGLAND v TONGA MATCH REVIEW
RESULT – Who Won?
ENGLAND 20
Tries: J. McGillvary (10), G. Widdop (17), J. Bateman (67)
Goals: G. Widdop 3 Conv, 1 Pen
SAMOA 18
Tries: T. Pangai Junior (73), S. Havili (77), T. Lolohea (78)
Goals: A. Koroisau 1 Pen
How did they win?
By the skin of their teeth England held on in the end, but for the previous 70 minutes looked the better side with their best performance of the tournament so far.
Ultimately, a penalty goal in the 50th minute was the difference between the two sides who scored three converted tries each, but England’s first half performance was the main factor that set them up for victory
England scored first in the 10th minute after some good lead up work from Gareth Widdop earned a repeat set, and England scored through one of the players of the tournament Jermaine McGillvary after a poor read from Tongan winger Daniel Tupou. They doubled that lead seven minutes later when Gareth Widdop rolled over to score, avoiding a double movement with some smart work. This was not long after the Tongans were denied a try after a Michael Jennings offload from the ground earned a penalty and not four points.
The score remained 12-0 until half time, and the arm wrestle continued into the second half, but for all of Tonga’s endeavour, they were unable to crack the England line. They were punished further when England scored their third try of the afternoon, courtesy of some Gareth Widdop magic again led to John Bateman scoring and England leading 20-0.
Tonga weren’t done though, and their efforts were rewarded in the 73rd minute when Tevita Pangai Jnr on the back of a scrum thanks to an English failed attempt at an intercept. That made it 20-6 and Tonga had a sniff.
Both nostrils were well and truly open in the 77th minute as Tongan hooker Siliva Havili ran through the English defence form dummy half 20 metres out from the line, and the margin was 8 points with just a handful of minutes left.
The excitable, and loud crowd reached fever pitch by this stage, and they were to get another thrill two minutes later when Jason Taumalolo broke through the English line to run 40 metres and find Tui Lolohea to score under the posts, and within 2 points with just enough time to score a highly unlikely match winning try.
That unbelievable moment almost just happened, not before more excitement. Throwing the ball around with not long left on the clock Tonga’s attack was interrupted by an English intercept, which was almost immediately stopped via a Tongan one on one strip. With a few more plays left Tonga threw everything at England, and looked they could have scored when Andrew Fifita scored after retrieving a ball stripped from his arms with seconds remaining. Tonga claim try, but the on field official had already blown No for Tonga, and their Workd Cup dream is over.
What did we learn?
That no game is finished over until the fat lady or other more politically correct term sings. Few would have left that game at 20-0 down with 10 minutes to go, but in most circumstances a fan on the losing side would not be anticipating victory.
Tonga, despite missing out on the final, are the team of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. A lot of the great memories from the tournament so far have involved Tonga, and a shame for the spectacle and crowd atmosphere that they won’t be there for the final against Australia.
Jason Taumalolo’s $10M contract for 10 years seems a very good deal for the Cowboys and rugby league. And that he would probably have made it into the NFL had he had a proper crack. Who knows, after his World Cup, he still might.
Also, that if Rugby League administrators are watching the crowd numbers and electric atmosphere, they should somehow try and tap into the passion of the Tongan fans. That starts with regular competition for the tier two nations. Now that Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita and other have chosen Tonga over other countries, they should be given maximum opportunities to use their brand to grow the game for their country. Rugby league should build on the performances of Tonga, Fiji and PNG and have an annual tournament. Not waiting four years, or playing a one off test to grow the game.
What was the Moment of the Match?
Very rarely is the last play of the game the moment of the match, but in this case it was.
Tonga were on fire and had got within 2 points with an other throw of the dice, and Andrew Fifita was charging towards the line when he was stripped in a one on one situation losing the ball forward. Fifita did pick the ball up and crash over, but the referee had already blown the whistle for the knock on, and the argument about whether the right decision started to rage.
Did the referee make the right decision? He probably did, but as ever you would see that decision go one way or the other in the NRL, and that’s without including the further complication of the video referee.
The penalising of the Michael Jennings pass off the ground was probably harsh and denied Tonga a great try. Of course England doubled down on the punishment by scoring the next set and taking the lead out to 12-0.
Any other bits and pieces?
- The sea of red and noise at the ground was an awesome sight and sound,
- Also great to see were the flags attached to houses and cars around Brisbane in the lead up to the game. Proving what a market it could be if they did it right.
- Wayne Bennett has done the job for England by getting them into the final, and not forgetting he was part of the coaching set up when New Zealand upset Australia in Brisbane in the last World Cup final in the city.
THE DOWLING-TAMATI #RLWC2017 PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
We’ve decided that a tournament as big as the 2017 Rugby League World Cup needs a Player of the tournament, and who better than International relations specialists Kevin Tamati and Greg Dowling to name our award.
We award points on a 5-4-3-2-1 scale every match, and the results for this game is below. For the running total from all of the games visit our 2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE
5 POINTS – GARETH WIDDOP – A masterclass from one of England’s best of the World Cup. And playing out of position too.
4 POINTS – JASON TAUMALOLO – Another big game from the big man, whose choice of Tonga over NZ is fully justified now.
2 POINTS – ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD – A great game with loads of metres, tackles, a try assist and could have scored late, in addition to providing the match winning strip.
2 POINTS – SILIVA HAVILI – topped tackle count and scored a sensational try late despite leaving the field for a head knock earlier.
1 POINT – ALEX WALMSLEY – Another great performance off the bench. Providing great impact for the English.
1 POINT – SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO – the goal kicking prop still amazes and plenty of hard yards.
MATCH PREVIEW
Who: ENGLAND v TONGA
Where and When: LIVE Saturday 25 Nov – Auckland
When is it on TV? 7Mate @ 4pm
What’s the Story?
Tonga have been the story of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup so far, proving that International Rugby League is not dead, and if anything are showing why the international program should be expanded so teams like Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, PNG and all of the nations play a lot more rugby league.
The defectors to the Tonga side must be happy with their call, especially the New Zealand players who have now seen the Kiwis disappear at the hands of fellow Pacific side Fiji. One great thing has been to see the Tongan flag riding around on cars across the cities, loving seeing people into their Pacific Rugby League.
England have gone under the radar to a degree, not being overly great or exciting like the Tongans or Fiji, nor have they been terrible at times like New Zealand. If anything, their best game was their first against Australia where they were very compeditive. They got past the PNG Kumuls last weekend despite barely completing 50% of their sets, and they will surely improve. They will want to as well, as Tonga have all the firepower to blow them off the park if they play like they did last weekend.
To find out more of the results and how these got here, why not visit our 2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE
Who Will Win and Why?
Tonga have gone from pre-tournament Dark Horse to genuine contender, and have been magnificent so far in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. However the worry for us is have they played their biggest game thus far. With the highly charged victories over Samoa and New Zealand under their belt, they went very close to being knocked out of the World Cup by Lebanon last weekend. One wonders if they are on the way down after being so great thus far.
England by contrast seem to have more to come, and they will want to after a pretty ordinary performance against the Kumuls last weekend. Sam Burgess will be another week fitter, and they have Wayne Bennett. If England hold onto the ball better last weekend they could have beaten the PNG by 50+, and that will no doubt be improved this weekend.
England by 10
Who to watch for?
Sam Burgess is the obvious one for England given the big man’s standing in the game. Burgess will be in his second game back from injury and will no doubt be better for the run last weekend. Although Gareth Widdop amd Jermaine McGillivary have been tremendous and rate highly in our Dowling-Tamati medal.
For Tonga it is hard to go past the name that was on everyone’s lips before the Rugby League World Cup started – Jason Taumalolo. His move to Tonga is now fully justified, but why fall short of the Grand Final now after what they have achieved. His powerful running has been a thing to watch throughout the World Cup, and the $10M for 10 years looks a pretty good deal for the Cowboys now.
TEAMS
Who’s in the Teams?
TONGA
- Will Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. David Fusitu’a 6. Tui Lolohea 7. Ata Hingano 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Sika Manu (c) 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Sione Katoa 15. Peni Terepo 16. Tevita Pangai Jnr. 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Sam Moa 19. Manu Vatuvei 20. Joe Ofahengaue 21. Samisoni Langi
ENGLAND
- Gareth Widdop 2. Jermaine McGillvary 3. Kallum Watkins 4. John Bateman 5. Ryan Hall 6. Kevin Brown 7. Luke Gale 8. Chris Hill 9. Josh Hodgson 10. James Graham 11. Sam Burgess 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Sean O’Loughlin 14. Alex Walmsley 15. Thomas Burgess 16. Ben Currie 17. James Roby 18. Jonny Lomax 19. Chris Heighington 20. Mark Percival 21. Scott Taylor
