Wales extinguish Tonga hopes

10.55pm

WALES 27 TONGA 20

CANBERRA - Wales effectively ended Tonga's hopes of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals when they wore down the South Pacific islanders to win a scrappy pool D match 27-20 on Sunday.

Tonga outscored Wales three tries to two but superior Wales kicking proved the difference.

First five-eighths Stephen Jones kicked four penalty goals and Lions flanker Martyn Williams came off the bench to snap an important drop goal and score a try in the second half.

Wales led 14-10 at halftime before Jones' fourth penalty and then a wobbly field goal from Williams, who replaced number eight Alix Popham midway through the second half, pushed Wales' lead to 10 points.

Tonga, battered and bruised after a 36-12 loss to Italy four days earlier, never gave up and hit back when they drove a rolling maul through the heart of the Wales forwards for captain Benhur Kivalu to score.

Williams then capped a great night off the bench when he ran on to a floated pass by centre Iestyn Harris to score out wide. Jones converted from the sideline for 27-15 despite missing three consecutive penalty goals earlier in the second half.

Tonga added another second half try when prop Heamani Lavaka barged over in the corner with two minutes remaining but it was too late for Tonga, who threw the ball around desperately in the closing seconds in the hope of levelling the scores.

Wales led after a stuttering first half ruined by constant stoppages, poor handling and pedantic refereeing of set pieces by New Zealander Paul Honiss.

Jones, back in the side for the first time since Wales were beaten by England in August, put Wales in front early through two penalty goals.

Tonga first five-eighths Pierre Hola, switched from fullback an hour before kickoff with Sateki Tu'ipulotu dropped to the bench, added a penalty to keep Tonga in touch before a terrible lapse in defence allowed Wales to score the first try.

Halfback Gareth Cooper streaked down the blind side from the base of a scrum and scored unmarked to give Wales an 11-3 lead.

Both sides missed try scoring opportunities, new Tonga centre Sukanaivalu Hufanga almost scoring a spectacular try after picking up a loose ball and kicking ahead only for the ball to dribble into touch metres from the line.

But Hola struck back not long after when he chipped ahead from close range.

Wales fullback Rhys Williams fumbled the ball and Hola swooped to pick up and score, converting his own try to claim all of Tonga's first half points.

Stanley Afeaki, who replaced his injured brother and captain Inoke, pulled off a try-saving tackle on flying Wales winger Tom Shanklin before another Jones' penalty gave Wales a four-point buffer at the break.

Wales lost inside centre Sonny Parker hours before the game with a leg muscle injury sustained at training. His place was taken by rugby league convert Iestyn Harris.

Teams:

Wales - 15-Rhys Williams; 14-Mark Jones, 13-Mark Taylor, 12-Iestyn Harris, 11-Tom Shanklin; 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Gareth Cooper (20-Dwayne Peel 54); 8-Alix Popham (19-Martyn Williams 60), 7-Colin Charvis (captain), 6-Dafydd Jones, 5-Robert Sidoli, 4-Gareth Llewellyn (18-Chris Wyatt 58), 3-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Mefin Davies (16-Huw Bennett 73), 1-Iestyn Thomas (17-Adam Jones 70).

Tonga - 15-Sila Va'enuku; 14-Sione Fonua, 13-Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12-John Payne, 11-Tevita Tu'ifua; 10-Pierre Hola, 9-Sililo Martens; 8-Benhur Kivalu (captain), 7-Stanley Afeaki (18-Milton Ngauamo 64), 6-Ipolito Fenukitau (19-Nisifolo Naufahu), 5-Viliami Vaki, 4-Usaia Latu, 3-Heamani Lavaka, 2-Viliami Ma'asi (16-Ephram Taukafa 71), 1-Kisi Pulu (17-Tonga Lea'aetoa 68).

Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

- REUTERS


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