Penalties give Canada half-time lead

Canada 9 Tonga 7

Canada took just a two-point lead into half-time of their World Cup pool match against Tonga in Wollongong despite playing with a stiff breeze at their backs.

Canada used the boot of fly-half Bob Ross to earn good position but were unable to capitalise as Tonga’s bustling defence and some poor execution stymied their opportunities.

Ross provided all of Canada’s points with three penalties, while Tonga skipper Inoke Afeaki scored the only try of the match.

Canada did get the early advantage when Tonga were penalised and scrum-half Morgan Williams showed good awareness to take it quickly and drew another penalty when Pierre Hola failed to retreat.

Ross converted easily from in front to put his team ahead and rack up the 2000th point of the tournament.

Tonga should have struck back in the seventh minute when Marco di Girolamo was caught offside 25 metres out and Hola missed the kick into the stiff breeze.

After Canada had blown a couple of good opportunities, including conceding a clumsy penalty for obstruction with the line beckoning, Tonga grabbed the first try in the 17th minute.

Canada conceded another penalty to set up a Tongan line-out and from the ensuing drive Tonga scored their first try.

First openside flanker Sione Tu’amoheloa carried it up, and he then helped skipper Inoke Afeaki power over. Hola converted to make it 7-3.

Sharp work by Canada saw them get back to within two points in the 23rd minute, as first Tu’amoheloa was penalised then Williams took it quickly and Afeaki was caught offside. Ross kicked the penalty to make it 7-6.

The 27th minute brought drama for Canada centre Nik Witkowski and an unfortunate seagull.

Witkowski copped an accidental faceful of boot from Pila Fifita, while the seagull escaped with a fewer feathers when a clearing kick from Winston Stanley clipped its back end.

Witkowski did not return from the bloody injury, but his team at least went into the break leading with a penalty from Ross five minutes from the break.