The Ikale Tahi have set up a good start to their Pacific Nations Cup and Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign with a strong 30-16 victory over Manu Samoa before an elated Tongan home crowd at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nukualofa.
Tonga’s last victory over the Manu was in 2018 when they had won by 28-18. The scoreline of 30-16 has set a new record margin for an Ikale Tahi win over Manu Samoa.
Tonga dominated the game from the outset with their captain and veteran prop Ben Taumeafuna leading his team from the front.
Ikale Tahi drew first blood when their 36 year old veteran blindside flanker, Siosiua Moala, crossed the line.
Tonga’s Patrick Pellegrini converted which saw the Manu trailing 7-0 in the first seven minutes of the game.
Discipline let the Manu Samoa down early and the boot of Tonga’s Patrick Pellegrini was relentless adding three points to extend Tonga’s lead to 10 in the first 20 minutes.
The Tongan side had all the momentum, and just five minutes later, they managed to add another 7 points to the score board. This time, through veteran halfback Sonatane Takulua when he chased down a lose ball from a Manu Samoa lineout.
Pellegrini’s kicking game was on point and Samoa found themselves trailing by 17-0 after 26 minutes into the first half.
Manu Samoa had their chances but ill-discipline and handling errors cost them.
The Manu managed to secure their first points of the match off a penalty and the boot of AJ Alatimu to take it to 17- 3.
But Tonga extended their lead before half time with a successful penalty kick of their own to make it 20-3 with four minutes to go.
The Manu Samoa managed to get a bit of momentum in the dying minutes of the first half, and Alatimu slotted through a penalty kick to make it 20-6 at the break.
The second half began with some intensity as both teams displayed the physicality that is expected when Tonga and Samoa meet. Samoa took a blow when Captain Theodore McFarland was taken off with what looked to be a hamstring injury.
It took Samoa 20 minutes to strike first in the second half when Moana Pasifika winger, Tuna Tuitama, crossed over in the corner for a much needed try.
With the scoreboard at 20 points to 11, Samoa looked to apply pressure and fought hard to stay in the game. With 20 minutes to go Head Coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi had all of his impact players come on off the bench.
But with the home crowd behind their team the momentum shifted back to Ikale Tahi when Pellegrini secured yet another 3-point penalty.
Tonga sealed the match on the 76th minute when they mauled their way over the tryline from a 5-metre lineout. It would be relacement hooker Samiuela Moli who came up with the try and take Tonga’s lead to 27 – 11.
Nothing was going right for the boys in blue and discipline again let them down. Pellegrini added three more points to the tally and the Manu found themselves trailing by 30 – 11 with three minutes to go.
Manu Samoa scored a consolation try from centre Melani Nanai to narrow the scoreline to 30 – 16.
Manu Samoa gets a week off to regroup and prepare to play Fiji in Rotorua on Saturday 6 September. Tonga will have to reset quickly and be ready to take on Fiji in Suva this weekend.
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