Tonga too good for Canada...again
REPORT: Hosts Tonga crossed for six tries in a 36-12 romp over Canada on Tuesday to claim a second straight win over the Canucks in tune-ups for the World Cup.
Hooker Sosefo Sakalia touched down after only five minutes to claim the first of his two first-half tries as Tonga opened up a 26-0 lead at the break in Nuku’alofa.
Wing Kyren Taumoefolau touched down his second try just after the break before lock Vaea Fifita and flank Samiuela Moli also barged over for Tonga.
The Canadians rallied in the second half as wing Isaac Olson touched down twice.
Canada also lost their first game 3-28 last Thursday against Tonga, who had George Moala sent off early in the second half for a dangerous tackle.
Tonga open their World Cup campaign against Ireland next month. The Tongans also face South Africa, Scotland and Romania in Pool B. Canada failed to qualify for the France 2023 tournament.
The double win over Canada is a morale-booster for Tonga, who lost all three Pacific Nations Cup games against Fiji, Japan and Samoa in the last month.
The scorers:
For Tonga:
Tries: Sakalia 2, Taumoefolau 2, Fifita, Moli
Cons: Takulua 3
For Canada:
Tries: Olson
Con: Nelson
Teams:
Tonga: 15 Otumaka Mausia , 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 John Ika, 10 Williams Havili, 9 Sonatane Takulua (captain), 8 Solomone Funaki, 7 Sione Tupou, 6 Samiuela Moli, 5 Vaea Fifita, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Sofefo Sakalia, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi.
Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Fe’ao Fotu’aika, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Vutulongo Puloka, 20 Christopher Hala’ufia, 21 Feleti Inoke, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Tasi Feke
Canada: 15 Peter Nelson, 14 Kainoa Lloyd, 13 Mitch Richardson, 12 Spencer Jones, 11 Isaac Olson, 10 Robbie Povey, 9 Jason Higgins, 8 Siaki Vikilani, 7 Siôn Parry, 6 Lucas Rumball, 5 Conor Keys, 4 Izzak Kelly, 3 Conor Young, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 1 Liam Murray.
Replacements: 16 Foster Dewitt, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Piers Von Dadelszen, 20 Mason Flesch, 21 Travis Larsen, 22 Ross Braude, 23 Gabe Casey.
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (Australia) & Tevita Rokovereni (France)
