Tonga beats Cook Islands 54-10 in World Cup qualifier

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Tonga struggled to assemble a team but still beat the Cook Islands 54-10 on Saturday in a qualifying match for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

With its Europe-based players unavailable, Tonga used 17 new caps in tests against New Zealand and Samoa this month, then named six more in its lineup to play the Cook Islands in Saturday’s Oceania qualifier at Pukekohe, south of Auckland.

Tonga will go on to play whoever becomes Asian champion — Hong Kong, Malaysia or South Korea — in an Asia-Pacific qualifying match for a place beside South Africa, Ireland and Scotland at Pool B in France.

The Cook Islands still have a chance to qualify through the final qualifying tournament in which it will compete against teams from the Americas, Europe and Africa for the 20th and last place in the world tournament.

Tonga’s player shortage was so great before Saturday’s match that head coach Toutai Kefu, the former Wallabies backrower, asked “anyone know any Tongans?” He was only half joking. Kefu estimated Tonga had identified almost 25 props who were eligible for selection and all turned him down.

Tonga had 30 available players prior to the second test of their qualifying series against Samoa last weekend. That had fallen to 27 ahead of Saturday’s match, either through injuries or because some had to return to full-time jobs.

“There’s a list of players that you have and we’ve all gone through those,” Kefu told Radio New Zealand. “We’ve gone through probably 50, 60, 70 players I’d say. It’s just basically ringing agents, ringing coaches, club coaches, even asking players ‘does anyone know any Tongans?’

“We were white-boarding names last night and counting how many props turned us down. It was nearly 25," he added.

Tonga was still too strong for the Cook Islands, who were playing their first international match in almost three years.

The Cook Islands scored first with a penalty to scrumhalf Tokahirere Sopoaga whose brother, former All Blacks flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, was part of the team’s coaching staff.

Tries to winger Fifita Walter and center Sam Vaka put Tonga ahead 14-3 but the Cook Islands scored through hooker Ben Tou to cut the lead to 14-10 midway through the first half.

Tonga finished the half strongly to lead 26-10 at halftime and ran away in the second half with try-scoring doubles to captain Sonatane Takulua and Sione Tuipolotu.

“You just don’t know about these games and the first 10 minutes they put up a really really good fight,” Kefu said. “We knew if we kept the pressure on we could finally break them, and we thought probably just after halftime we could feel a little more comfortable."

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Tonga thump Cook Islands in World Cup qualifier

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6:32pm, 24 July 2021

Tonga struggled to assemble a team but still beat the Cook Islands 54-10 on Saturday in a qualifying match for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

With their Europe-based players unavailable, Tonga used 17 new caps in Tests against New Zealand and Samoa this month, then named six more in the lineup to play the Cook Islands in Saturday’s Oceania qualifier at Pukekohe, south of Auckland.

Tonga will go on to play whoever becomes Asian champion – Hong Kong, Malaysia or South Korea – in an Asia-Pacific qualifying match for a place beside South Africa, Ireland and Scotland at Pool B in France.

Tonga’s player shortage was so great before Saturday’s match that head coach Toutai Kefu, the former Wallabies backrower, asked “anyone know any Tongans?”

He was only half-joking. Kefu estimated Tonga had identified almost 25 props who were eligible for selection and all turned him down.

Tonga was still too strong for the Cook Islands, who were playing their first international match in almost three years.

The Cook Islands scored first with a penalty to scrumhalf Tokahirere Sopoaga whose brother, former All Blacks flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, was part of the team’s coaching staff.

Tries to winger Fifita Walter and centre Sam Vaka put Tonga ahead 14-3 but the Cook Islands scored through hooker Ben Tou to cut the lead to 14-10 midway through the first half.

Tonga finished the half strongly to lead 26-10 at halftime and ran away in the second half with try-scoring doubles to captain Sonatane Takulua and Sione Tuipolotu.

Tonga has advanced to Rugby World Cup playoff over Cook Islands

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Tonga are through to the Asia/Pacific playoff for a place at the 2023 World Cup in France after beating the Cook Islands 54-10 in Pukekohe this evening.

It was the Cook Islands who opened the scoring with a penalty through halfback Tokahirere Sopoaga to get a 3-0 lead.

The first quarter of the match was dominated by basic errors, and with the Kuki’s line speed adding some pressure, it took 19 minutes before ‘Ikale Tahi started to find some momentum.

Tonga’s front row was crucial to their performance, creating opportunities to hold the ball in the scrum.

Forcing the ball out and with a quick shift to the left, coupled with some quick footwork from winger Fifita Walter, he crossed to put first points on the board for Tonga. Flyhalf James Faiva added the extras to lead 7-3.

A solid carry from centre Sam Vaka saw them get over their advantage line with some space on the left. Fifita Walter carried it down shaking off three defenders, before offloading it back to Vaka who ran over the line to collect another 5. Perfect off the boot, Faiva converted and Tonga were up 14-3.

It didn’t take long for the Cooks to reply, seeing an opportunity from their line-out. Hooker Ben Tou charged over, bringing them right back into the game. Sopoaga with the kick and the Cooks reduced the deficit 14-10.

The Kukis looked to be taking advantage of Tonga’s errors, but two more to ‘Ikale Tahi before the hooter saw them take a 26-10 lead to the sheds.

Tonga have secured their playoff against the Asian Champions for a spot at the 2023 World Cup after beating the Cook Islands 54-10 in Pukekohe tonight — RNZ Pacific Sport (@RNZISport) July 24, 2021

Tonga were straight out the gates in the second half, with captain Sonatane Takulua scoring back-to-back tries. Faiva converted to extend their lead 40-10.

The Cook Island boys were determined right to the end, but a second try to Sione Tuipolotu and one for Paula Mahe on his test debut saw them win 54-10, securing their play off against the Asian Champions for a spot in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup.

Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu said he feels relieved to get the win tonight, after what has been a challenging four weeks.

Photo: AFP

“You just don’t know about those games, and the first 10 minutes they put up a really really good fight,” he said.

“We knew if we kept the pressure on we could finally break them and we thought probably just after half time we could feel a little more comfortable, but to their credit we understand all the challenges they go through, so we’re very happy and relieved to get the win tonight.”