Tonga overcame a second-half red card for George Moala to clinch a 28-3 victory against Canada in the first of two Rugby World Cup warm-up matches for the Pacific Islanders in Nuku’alofa on Thursday.
It was a much improved performance from the home side ― who finished winless and at the bottom of the table during the recent Pacific Nations Cup ― as they dominated for long periods and eventually outscored their opponents by four tries to none.
Hard running number eight Sione Vailanu led the way with a brace of five-pointers for the Ikale Tahi while Sam Moli (hooker) and Sonatane Takulua (captain and scrum-half) also crossed the whitewash.
Takulua also succeeded with four conversions which meant he finished with a 13-point haul.
It was a tough day at the office for the North Americans, who will not be participating at the global showpiece for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1987, and their only points came via the boot of Peter Nelson.
Fine start from Tonga
Moli gave the hosts an early lead when he scored his try after breaking off the back of a lineout drive deep inside Canadian territory, before Nelson responded with his three-pointer off the kicking tee.
After that, the hosts had the bulk of the territory and possession and midway through the opening half they were rewarded with a sensational try from Takulua, after Afusipa Taumoepeau and Fine Inisi combined brilliantly in the build-up.
On the stroke of half-time, Vailanu powered over the try-line off the back of a lineout deep inside Canada’s 22 and Takulua added the extras to give Tonga a 21-3 lead at the interval.
The second half was a tighter affair, especially after former All Blacks centre Moala received his marching orders for a dangerous hit on Canada counterpart Ben LeSage in the 45th minute.
Despite their one-man advantage, Canada could not breach the defence of the Ikale Tahi who sealed their victory when Vailanu crossed for his second try in the 51st minute.
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