Tonga and Samoa met in one of the biggest games of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, and the game and pre-match theatrics didn’t disappoint in what was the game of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup so far. We’re covering the game with the Who, What, Where, When and How of the big game which has been marked on our calendar at the start of the tournament.
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup is a big deal for us, being huge rugby league fans and love a minnow or two, and we’ll be covering all of the games throughout.
So visit our 2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE
Now onto the Samoa v Tonga game.
SAMOA v TONGA MATCH REVIEW
RESULT – Who Won?
TONGA 32
Tries: M. Jennings (10), M. Jennings (29), P. Terepo (52), B. Murdoch-Masila (59), M. Ma’u (77)
Goals: S. Taukeiaho 3 Conv, 1 Pen, A. Hingano 2 Conv
SAMOA 18
Tries: J. Tevaga (17), B. Roberts (65), T. Lafai (73)
Goals: T. Lafai 3 Conv
How Did They Win?
Tonga had Samoa covered in just about every position, but one place where the Tongans were surprisingly much better than Samoa was in the halves, specifically the Tongan halfback Ata Hingano. His kicking game was spot on, and led to the two first half tries to Tonga. Samoa meanwhile had much poorer fifth tackle options, and as a result were not getting the repeat sets, and giving the Tongan forward a leg up, which given their size and speed didn’t need to much of an invitation to dominate.
The first two tries for Tonga did come from kicks that were spilled by the Samoans, on both occasions Eels flyer Michael Jennings was the man in the right place at the right time. In between those tries Samoa scored to level the game at 6-6 when Jazz Tevaga crashed over from dummy half. Joey Leilua crossed the line after that, but it was ruled out by the video referee correctly. A Tongan penalty was the only other score of a first half that saw Tonga lead 14-6.
Peni Terepo got the scoring underway for Tonga in the second half in the 52nd minute and by the time Ben Murdoch-Masila barged through the defence seven minutes later it was game effectively over with Tonga leading 26-6.
Ben Roberts gave Samoa a hope with a try after a fine offload close to the line, in the 65th minute, and another try in the 73rd minute to Tim Lafai gave Samoa a little bit of hope to make a massive comeback having moved the margin from 20 to 8 with enough time remaining.
Unfortunately in that remaining time Tonga finished off the night in style wirh a try Manu Ma’u with three minutes to go. They deserved the win, but for a few key moments could have been a lot different for Tonga.
What did we learn?
That Pacific Nation Test Rugby League is the greatest. Especially Tonga v Samoa.
Was also came out of the game is that Tonga are no longer just a dark horse, they are real deal. On a night where New Zealand threw down a marker by smashing Scotland by 20 more points, Tonga’s reply in the next game was equally ominous. Next weekend’s Pool topping decider should be an outstanding contest that all rugby league fans will be mad if they miss.
What was the Moment of the Match?
The first big moment of the match was the extended pre-game rituals, so good to see some real emotion and passion for playing for their nation, and something different to the NRL.
On the field it was probably the second of Michael Jennings tries in the first half. Another pin point kick was not collected by Samoa and this time the ball landed unattended in the in goal. There were three Tongans players waiting to fall onto the ball, and not a Samoan in sight.
A spilled ball by Samoa, this time in attack and in the 67th minute is another key moment. Where Tonga were taking their chances and scoring off grubbers, Samoa missed their chance to close the gap to 26-18 at the time, and with Samoa scoring again in the 73rd minute it could have been so much tighter.
Any other bits and pieces?
- Was a sensational atmosphere was on offer in Hamilton for the Tonga v Samoa match. It rivaled the noise and ambience of the game in Port Moresby last weekend, which is some compliment. Perhaps the NRL could bottle it or learn from it, as they attempt to tackle the increasing apathy towards attending games.
- Wouldn’t it be great if each NRL team had their own pre game ritual before every game.
A Final Question for Rugby League
A question for the future of International rugby league is what happens after the Rugby League World Cup. Tonga are proving World Class, Fiji and PNG have looked great thus far, Samoa are always competitive, but after this World Cup finishes there is nothing for these Pacific Nations to play for. And without playing they lose the momentum of their achievements in this tournament. PNG have the Hunters in the Queensland Cup, and Fiji are trying to follow the PNG side into the NSW Comp, but we think it should and must go further.
We have suggested in the past that a round robin tournament between Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG should run alongside State of Origin which would then be standalone. It would give rugby league fans more of a taste of the good stuff served up by these teams, and would also allow these teams to mature on the International scene, if rugby league truly wants that to happen, rather than plunder them for their NRL teams.
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 – Sio Siua Taukieaho – 24 runs for 248 metres, all of them with purpose, he was a unit throughout.
4 POINTS – Ata Hingano – Led the Tongan side around in attack, easy to do with their pack, but his kicking game spot on.
3 POINTS – Manu Ma’u – Big metres, big tackles, and sealed his night with the match sealing try.
2 POINTS – Jason Taumalolo – kept up his fine work from the tournament thus far.
1 POINT – Joey Leilua – not just a token tip as he was good, but a view on the balance of the game that despite Samoan’s big game, they struggled to get one player into the Top 5 best on ground.
MATCH PREVIEW
Who: SAMOA v TONGA
Where and When: LIVE Saturday 4th November in Hamilton
When is it on TV? Channel 7Mate @ 4:30pm
What’s the Story?
It’s the big game of the second week of games of the Rugby League World Cup. On field it should be two great second tier teams taking each other on, and off the field we can’t wait to see the dueling pre game rituals of Tonga and Samoa. Some fans have already got a little excited with reports of scuffles in the streets of New Zealand ahead of the game.
Tonga lived up to their pre tournament hype with a very comfortable 50-4 win over Scotland in the heat of Cairns, with the defectors Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita doing the job in style, but they did back off in the second half, beating Scotland only 12-4 in the second 40 minutes, no surprise though in the North Queensland heat.
Not quite so hot was Samoa’s last game in New Zealand, and despite the end score line of 38-8, Samoa were in the game for a long time, and actually had the momentum heading into the half time break where they trailed 10-4. New Zealand kicked on in the second 40 minutes outscoring Samoa five tries to one, but can take a lot of heart from their performance.
They’ll be plenty of heart, emotion and raw power on show this Saturday evening, and the Tonga v Samoa clash is a must watch for sports fans this weekend.
A win for Tonga will make next weekend’s game against New Zealand so much more interesting with Pool B top spot on offer. Samoa can still lose and make the knockout stage asthey face Scotland in the last round of games next weekend.
Who Will Win and Why?
Tonga should win with the teams compared side by side on paper, but in such a high emotion game, the form book gets thrown away to a degree.
The Samoans have quality in both the backs and forwards, but in both cases just lack that big name that Tonga have like Jason Taumalolo in the forwards and Michael Jennings in the backline, so although we think it will be tight, Tonga have the game breakers to just get them over the line.
Tonga by 4
Who to watch for?
Take your pick from the talent and power in either forward pack. Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita are the headline act for Tonga, both living up to the hype last weekend, but not to be forgotten as someone to tune in for are Sio Siua Taukieaho and Sione Katoa amongst tyhe whole forward pack. There’s also the wonderfully named Sam Moa playing for Tonga.
Samoa too have plenty of power and they are led by Frank Pritchard, and have NRL quality in Herman Ese’ese and Joshua Papali.
We are looking forward to each side’s pack giving to each other for 80 minutes, plus the pre game rituals.
TEAMS
Who’s in the Teams?
SAMOA
1 Young Tonumaipea 2 Ricky Leutele 3 Timoteo Lafai 4 Joseph Leilua 5 Ken Maumalo 6 Joseph Paulo 7 Ben Roberts 8 Junior Paulo 9 Jazz Tevaga 10 Herman Ese’ese 11 Joshua Papalii 12 Frank Pritchard (C) 13 Leeson Ah Mau 14 Fa’amanu Brown 15 Zane Musgrove 16 Sam Lisone 17 Bunty Afoa 18 Sam Tagataese 19 Frank Winterstein 20 Jarome Luai 21 Matthew Wright
TONGA
- Will Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Solomone Kata 5. David Fusitu’a 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Ata Hingano 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Siliva Havilli 10. Sio Siua Taukieaho 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Sika Manu © 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Sione Katoa 15. Sam Moa 16. Peni Terepo 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Ukuma Ta’ai 19. Manu Vatuvei 20. Konrad Hurrell 21. Samisoni Langi
