'Ikale Tahi triumphs with 14 men [1]
Monday, November 26, 2012 - 12:54. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
By Pesi Fonua
The 'Ikale Tahi caused an upset in international test rugby yesterday when they thrashed the Scottish National team 21-15 at Pittodrie, Aberdeen (5 am Tongan time).
The game, the third and the last test match for the 'Ikale Tahi, during its November European tour was a real thriller, and full of surprises.
The Scots during the first half dominated possession and territory, but all they could produce was two penalty conversions. The 'Ikale Tahi responded with a penalty conversion of their own, and at half time the score was 6-3
The 'Ikale Tahi defence in the first half was outstanding, and they managed to deny the Scots a try.
Toward the end of the first half the excitement intensified when Tonga's No. 5, Tukulua Lokotui was yellow-carded.
Not long after the second half started, Lokotui returned and he made up for his time in the bin, by scoring the 'Ikale Tahi's first try of the game after a powerful surge for the try line by the forwards. 'Apikotoa was unsuccessful with the conversion and the score was 10-6.
Tongan tries
Lokotui's try appeared to have awakened the Tongans, and it was not long after that the forwards decided to send the ball out wide. The move was initiated by No. 8 Viliami Ma'afu with a quick pass to Tevita Mailau, then to Fetu'u Vainikolo in the wing who sliced Scotland's defence into pieces as he cruised through to the try line. 'Apikoto's conversion was off target.
With the underdogs 'Ikale Tahi leading the score, the game became bizzare; the 'Ikale Tahi captain was yellow-carded, and Tonga was again playing with only 14 men.
However, the real thriller was yet to come. While the 'Ikale Tahi was eagerly awaiting the return to the field of their captain, another player Steve Mafi was yellow-carded and briefly Tonga had only 13 players on the field.
It is extraordinary in test rugby for a team to play with only 13 players and still manage to win. Steven Mafi did not return to the field of play and the 'Ikale Tahi at the end finished, triumphant, with only 14 players.
The Scots were desperately looking for the 'Ikale Tahi's try line but they could not find it, and as play continued over 80 minutes, Tonga provided even more excitement, but for shattered Scotland the final score remained at 21-15.
The management and local players are expected to arrive back in Tonga on Wednesday November 28.