Electrifying comeback for Mate Ma'a Tonga 18 – England 20 in semi-final [1]
Saturday, November 25, 2017 - 21:42. Updated on Monday, December 4, 2017 - 22:00.
By Finau Fonua
England have defeated Mate Ma’a Tonga 20 – 18, surviving a dramatic comeback in a thrilling semi-final played in Auckland, New Zealand tonight. The game ended controversially after the referee failed to spot a one-on-one strip penalty by England in the dying seconds of the game with Tonga only metres away from the English try line.
Down 20 – 0 in the last ten minutes of the game, Mate Ma’a Tonga scored three tries in quick succession to close the gap to 18 – 20.
In the first half England scored two tries to lead 12 – 0. In the second half, England scored a third try and converted a penalty to lead comfortably 20 – 0.
In the 72nd minute, Mate Ma’a Tonga suddenly sprang to life with Tevita Pangai Jnr. scoring from a ruck near the English posts. Less than two minutes later, Mate Ma’a Tonga hooker Siliva Havili scored Tonga’s second try to close the gap to 20 – 12. In the 77th minute, Mate Ma’a Tonga’s star forward Jason Taumalolo broke the English line and setup a try for Tuimoala Lolohea. In the 78th minute the score was suddenly 20 – 18.
Controversial ending
In the final 15 seconds of the game, Mate Ma’a Tonga prop Andrew Fifita made a bursting run towards the English try line. Fifita lost the ball after a one-on-one strip was committed by the English but quickly recovered the ball and crossed over the English try line for a try. The referee however, ruled it lost forward and refused to go to the video referee against the emotional pleas of various Mate Ma’a Tonga players.
Although Tonga's bid for the Rugby League World Cup final is over, fans are wildly celebrating Mate Ma'a Tonga's electrifying comeback tonight in the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa.