Kristian Woolf’s Tonga came away with a scrappy 32-6 win against a brave Wales outfit on Tuesday morning.
The Welsh side were able to keep Tonga scoreless for the first 20 minutes as they made four errors to start the game, completing at only 56 per cent.
Wales centre Dalton Grant came desperately close to scoring in the 11th minute before his teammate, Kyle Evans, opened the scoring moments later.
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Barnstorming centre Siosifa Talakai was met by the Welsh defence, dropping the ball on the 40 metre line for speedster Kyle Evans to break away from a Josh Ralph inside pass.
“12 months ago he had never played rugby league, how he is scoring a World Cup try for the Welsh rugby league side,” the commentator said.
“Against the odds, Wales have the lead.”
“And they deserve it, he hits Talakai with everything, that is probably the third time he has done that,” another commentator added.
Tonga clearly lifted after giving away the lead, scoring five minutes later off the back of a simple scrum play.
Daniel Tupou charged over the tryline before backrower David Fifita crossed for a four-pointer of his own, showcasing his damaging running ability.
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Wales looked set to go into halftime trailing by only six points, but Keaon Koloamatangi had other ideas.
The Rabbitohs edge forward sliced through the Welsh defensive line, sliding on the outside of halfback Josh Ralph.
“It is disappointing isn’t it, John Kear and the rest of his side will be so disappointed with that,” the commentator said.
In the second half, Tonga came out firing and clearly had a point to prove with a number of big defensive sets.
Six minutes into the second period Tonga fullback Tesi Niu beat five defenders to record the first points of the half.
“Tonga start the second half in impressive style,” the commentator said.
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In the 58th minute Tupou scored his second as the ball went through the hands to find the representative winger.
Halfback Tuimoala Lolohea then sparked what looked to be one of the tries of the competition, kicking the ball towards the touchline from halfway.
Speedster Tolu Koula acrobatically threw the ball back into the field of play, finding Sione Katoa to offload back to Lolohea on the inside.
Unfortunately for Tonga, Bunker referee Adam Gee ruled the ball has touched the sideline and the try was disallowed.
“That might have been better than Matt Burton’s, that was sensational,” the commentator said.
“It was just millimetres onto that line, that is the best no try I have ever seen.”
The Tricolours winger later completed his hattrick off the back of a similar move, with Talakai holding the ball up allowing Tupou the charge towards the corner.
Tupou was also denied a fourth after his try was disallowed for an obstruction.
While they weren’t able to secure a victory, Wales performed admirably and can hold their heads high.
“They gave a great account of themselves tonight and in that first 35 minutes they were dreaming of something special,” the commentator said.
“Wales there, what an effort from them… a brave effort.”
