Scotland's Kane Linnett, centre, and Ben Fisher, right, with Tonga's Willie Manu, 2nd right, and Fuifui Moimoitheir in action during their 2013 Rugby League World Cup match. Photo / AP.
Scotland 26
Tonga 24
Scotland caused a major upset in the rugby league World Cup this morning with a 26-24 win over Tonga in Workington.
It's a result that has a significant impact on New Zealand's likely quarter-final opponent, with the winner of the group containing Tonga, Scotland and Italy likely
to meet the Kiwis in the quarter-finals.
It had been assumed Tonga would win Group C but their defeat has opened the door for Italy, who have a handful of NRL players like Anthony Minichiello, Mark Minichiello and Aidan Guerra and who opened their World Cup campaign with a comfortable 32-16 win over Wales.
Scotland jumped out to a 20-4 lead at halftime but found themselves trailing 24-20 with 14 minutes remaining. But Scotland conjured up another try, with Matthew Russell crossing, which was converted.
