Tonga upset Samoa to win 19-15
16-Sep-2007
In a close match that saw only one try, underdogs Tonga beat Samoa 19-15 in their Pool A match in Montpellier. This was a major achievement for Tonga, having not beaten Samoa for 7 years until this match, and thus keeping their hopes alive of a Rugby World Cup 2007 quarterfinal appearance.
Many people expected to see open play with lots of tries in this match between the two Pacific Island nations, but Samoa led by just 12-6 at half time with no tries having been scored. Tonga closed the gap to 3 points early in the second half and it was obvious by this point that they were very much in the game. The Ikale Tahi moved into the lead in the 60th minute with a converted try by Epili Taione.
Desperate to maintain their lead, the Tongan's put in a supurb defense, breaking up the Samoan play and forcing errors. Eight minutes before fulltime Tonga's Hale T Pole was given a red card for a high tackle - the first man to be sent off in RWC match since 1999. Moments later Tonga lost another player with Toma Toke being sinbinned, also for a high tackle. Samoa tried to take advantage of their extra manpower but the Tongan defence remained strong - their 13 remaining players managed to hold off Manu Samoa until the fulltime whistle was blown and Tonga won the historic match 19-15.
Samoa's coach Michael Jones contratulated the Tongan team, "We acknowledge and commend the Tongans on how they played today. They were awesome. We have to eat humble pie. That's part of this journey we're on."
The second pool A qualifying position is now wide open with England, Samoa and Tonga all jostling for the position. Tonga are currently in second place but they are yet to play against pool leaders South Africa, whom they will met in Lens on September 22.
Related articles:
|
