Former captain rescues unconvincing Wales as they edge out Tonga

Wales 27 Tonga 20

Tonga’s sole consolation was picking up a bonus point for losing by seven points while Wales owed a lot to former captain Martyn Williams who came on to score eight points in the second-half but if kicker Pierre Hola had been in form Tonga would have run out comfortable winners.

“They played out of their skins,” Welsh skipper Colin Charvis said of the Tongans.

“They knew that this was the game for them if they wanted to stay in the tournament. Similarly we knew that we needed a win. And the (wet) conditions favoured a slippery ball which was very difficult for us.”

Injured Tonga skipper Inoke Afeaki who missed the match said: “It was great stuff from some of the senior boys and some of the new boys ... really amazing.”

Stephen Jones edged Wales a converted try ahead shortly after half-time with a penalty but he missed two penalties before the 50 minute mark which would have put the Welsh in the comfort zone.

The Welsh managed to finally extend their lead through the unlikely figure of Williams, as the flanker dropped a goal from in front of the posts just after the hour mark.

However the irrepressible Tongans bounced back as a stunning 20 metres rolling maul saw Benhur Kivalu emerge as the try scorer but a minute later it was Williams again who drove a stake into Tonga’s heart as he scored in the corner and Jones added the conversion to make it 27-15.

Back came the Tongans and after some spoiling tactics by the Welsh in trying to run the clock down landed their third try when the biggest man on the pitch prop Heamani Lavaka rumbled over in the corner.

WALES: R Williams; M Jones, M Taylor, I Harris, T Shanklin; S Jones, G Cooper; G Jenkins, M Davies, I Thomas; R Sidoli, G Llewellyn; A Popham, C Charvis, D Jones. Replacements: H Bennett, A Jones, C Wyatt, M Williams, D Peel, S Williams, G Evans.

TONGA: P Hola; S Fonua, S Hufanga, J Payne, T Tu'ifua ; S Tu'ipulotu, S Martens; H Lavaka, V Ma'asi, K Pulu; B Kivalu, S Afeaki, I Fenukitau. Replacements: E Taukafa, T Lea'aetoa, M Ngauamo , N D Palu, G Leger, S Va'enuku

Referee: Paul Honiss (NZL)