‘Ikale Tahi beats Canada 28-18 [1]
Sunday, July 26, 2015 - 20:53. Updated on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - 10:08.
The ‘Ikale Tahi won its first game of the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup by beating Canada 28-18 at the Swangard Stadium, Burnaby outside of Vancouver on Friday 24 July.
It was another ‘Ikale Tahi jaw-grinding victory with only 13 players on the field, defending the try line while under attack.
Within nine minutes before full time, the ‘Ikale Tahi was leading 28-18, but Canada was on attack in Tonga’s territory. Under pressure, the winger and try scorer Katoa ‘Otulea was yellow carded. A few minutes later, front row ‘Alisona Taumalolo was also yellow carded. Canada was only a few feet away from the try-line but just could not make it to the try line, and at full-time the ‘Ikale Tahi beat Canada 28-18.
Flying start
Canada had got the game off to a flying start when it put the first points on the score board with a converted try within two minutes from kick-off.
Canada was also successful with a converted penalty in the 10th minute of the game to push the score up to 10-0.
The ‘Ikale Tahi put its first points on the score board with a converted penalty by Kurt Moarath, about half-way through the first half to make it 10-3.
Canada responded almost immediately with an unconverted try to make it 15-3.
Tonga struck back five minutes before half time with a converted try scored by Sonatane Takulua, and was converted by Kurt Moarath.
At half time Canada was leading 15-10.
In the second half Tonga was hungry for points and four minutes from kick off, winger Katoa ‘Otulea scored and was converted by Kurt.
Canada in return added on another three points for a converted penalty. Kurt also added on another six points with two more converted penalties to make it 18-23.
The final nail in the coffin for Canada was a try by Sonatane Takulua, nine minutes before full time. The conversion was not successful and the score remained 18-28 until fulltime.
Sonatane Takulua was selected as the man of the match.
Competitive
The victory over Canada keeps Tonga competitive in the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup tournament as it prepares for the Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom in September.
The ‘Ikale Tahi's match with Canada was its second outing in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup. It lost its first game against the Flying Fijians 30-22 in Suva, Fiji on 18 July.
Tonga's next game will be against the USA at the BMO Field, Toronto on Wednesday, 29 July.