RLWC Daily Wrap: Round 2 - Day Four
After a slow start, Wales almost shocked the world but once Tonga worked themselves into the game, there was no answer for them.
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The Rugby League World Cup made it clear from its very first game that it doesn’t matter which team is deemed the favourite by betting agencies.
Anything can, and will, happen.
Before we get into what happened in the match, it’s worth mentioning that the game was refereed, really well, by Kasey Badger. Kasey became the first woman to take charge of a Men’s test match and if it’s done so based on performance, it won’t be her last.
When Wales battled with Tonga for the first fifteen minutes of the match and came out victorious; scoring the first try, it looked like yet another upset could be on the cards.
When Wales sat in the lead at 6-4 for almost the rest of the first half, it looked like we had a real nail-biter on our hands.
Unfortunately for the Welsh, as is so often the case, it was a period of four minutes that lost them the game.
One knock-on here or a missed penalty there, and we could have had a real nail-biter on our hands. Alas, it would be hard for Australia to bounce back from the four-minute period that Tonga put Wales through.
Once Tonga got a sniff, Wales had no answer for their power and skill.
Key Moments
Wales throws the first punch
When you’re the underdog, playing against the kind of talent that the Tongan team has, it’s crucial to get off to a fast start. After a scoreless first fifteen minutes, the right edge of Wales turned defence into offence.
Putting a strong shot on Siosifa Talakai to force the ball loose and then baking up Josh Ralph as he ran away, it was Kyle Evans who made the play to put his team in front and give them the start they needed.
Clunky Tongan attack
Before Wales gave them their chance before halftime, Tonga struggled to hold the ball long enough to create any pressure or capitalise on chances.
Sione Katoa dropped the ball cold with nothing but the line in front of him, Tuimoala Lolohea made a few silly mistakes from forced passes that didn’t need to be thrown.
Tonga was on top, they just weren’t disciplined enough to take advantage, until Wales gave them an opening.
Four minutes of hell for Wales
While the Tongan side replied to Evans’ first try in the 20th minute, the score remained 6-4 for the following sixteen minutes, with both sides fighting to gain control of the match. Unfortunately for Wales, it was a crucial mistake that gave Tonga the control it needed at the worst possible time.
It was Connor Davies, with five minutes left in the first half, who came up with the error. A harsh knock-on call that the Welsh challenged to no avail, it was exactly what Tonga needed and they didn’t take long to take advantage. Almost instantly David Fifita had charged through the defence to score.
If it ended there, Wales might have been alright.
It was Keaon Koloamatangi scoring three minutes after Fifita, in the 39th minute, that really twisted the dagger in their side. Tonga never concede control of the match.
Wales spent most of the rest of the game defending and did well to keep the scoreline as low as it was.
Standout Players
Tesi Niu
Nobody has ever questioned Tesi Niu’s talent in his time at the Brisbane Broncos. Consistency, from game to game and sometimes minute to minute, has been the reason he has struggled to hold onto a regular spot.
Well, when you get chosen to play in what will probably be your only match of the World Cup, there’s no need for consistency. You just go out there and play. That’s exactly what Niu did.
Combining 1 try and a try assist with 185 metres, 7 tackle breaks, 1 line break, and 2 line break assists, Niu was fantastic.
Daniel Tupou
It’s no surprise that Daniel Tupou can make 200 metres and score tries at will. He does it in every game he plays, whether it’s for Tonga, the NSW Blues or Sydney Roosters.
That doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of mention.
Grabbing himself a hat-trick to go with his 210 metres (off only 18 runs), 69 post-contact metres, five tackle breaks and 3 line breaks, Tupou was unstoppable with the ball in his hands.
Addin Fonua-Blake
Addin Fonua-Blake is one of the most important pieces of this Tongan team. The big enforcer played only 53 minutes tonight, running 16 times for 183 metres to go with his 16 tackles and an offload.
Thanks for reading!
I’ll see you tomorrow for another edition of the RLWC Daily Wrap and any other sports topics that float into my head that need to get out.
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