Matangi Tonga
Published on Matangi Tonga (https://matangitonga.to)

Home > 'Ikale Tahi victory over Namibia, hugely Important, says Mana

'Ikale Tahi victory over Namibia, hugely Important, says Mana [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Thursday, October 1, 2015 - 18:16.  Updated on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - 10:12.

Tonga's Telusa Veainu runs with the ball towards the tryline. 30 September 2015. Photo source: The Guardian

Hugely important, was how Mana ‘Otai, the coach of the ‘Ikale Tahi described his team's 35-21 victory over Namibia, on Tuesday, 29 September at Sandy Park, Exeter, UK.

The ‘Ikale Tahi / Namibia game was a very tough game for both teams. The Namibians were still searching for a Rugby World Cup game victory. They have never won a Rugby World Cup game after playing 17 matches. The ‘Ikale Tahi on the other hand was fighting to get back into the competition after it was beaten by Georgia 17-10 in its first 2015 Rugby World Cup 2015 game on September 19.

Despite the loss to Georgia, Mana ‘Otai has reminded his players that their dream of getting into the World Cup quarter final is “still alive.”

The ‘Ikale Tahi's 35-21 victory over Namibia came from five tries, with two tries each for flanker Jack Ram and winger Telusa Veainu, and a fifth try by the No. 10 Latiume Fosita. Fullback Vungakoto Lilo was successful with two tries and one penalty conversion. Kurt Morath was also successful with one penalty conversion.

Bonus points

Following Tuesday’s victory, the ‘Ikale Tahi was awarded five points, on top of the one bonus point that it got from its seven points loss to Georgia. This puts ‘Ikale Tahi for the time being, in second place behind the All Blacks in Pool C, with another two matches to play. 

At present, the ranking in Pool C:

  1. All Blacks 9 points
  2. ‘Ikale Tahi 6
  3. Argentina 5
  4. Georgia 4
  5. Namibia 0.

The next Pool C game is New Zealand v Georgia in Cardiff on October 2.

Tonga's next Pool C game against the Argentina Pumas is at 2:30pm on Sunday, 4 October in Leicester.

The ‘Ikale Tahi earned one bonus point after it lost to Georgia with not more than seven points, and five bonus points for scoring more than four tries against Namibia.

The ‘Ikale Tahi’s next two games, with the Pumas on October 4, then the All Blacks on October 9 are critical games for Tonga. A win over Argentina could make it possible for the fulfil its aim of getting into the Quarter Final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

However, if Tonga is would not be able to come out with a victory but manages to rank No. 3 in Pool C, it would then be qualified to participate in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The Argentina Pumas have played and beaten Georgia 54-9 on Friday, 25 September.

However, in the Rugby World Ranking, as of 1 October, the Argentina Pumas rank No. 8 and the ‘Ikale Tahi No. 13.

So we can wish all the best for the ‘Ikale Tahi when they meet the Argentina Pumas at 2.30am Monday, 4 October (Tongan time) at Leicester City Stadium, Leicester.

The RWC Match Points System:

  • Win 4 points,
  • Draw 2 points,
  • Loss 0 points,
  • 4 or more tries 1 point,
  • Loss by 7 points or less 1 point.
Jack Ram with the ball in their match against Namibia. 30 September 2015. Photo source:
A Namibia player tries to tackle David Halaifonua. 30 September 2015. Photo source: www.ibnlive.com
‘Ikale Tahi versus Namibia at Sandy Park, Exeter. 30 October 2015. Photo source: www.ibnlive.com
Telusa Veainu with the ball for the ‘Ikale Tahi. 30 September 2015. Photo source: Facebook
The ‘Ikale Tahi team celebrate their victory. 30 September 2015. Photo source: www.stuff.co.nz
Fans cheering for the ‘Ikale Tahi team at Sandy Park, Exeter. 30 September 2015. Photo source: www.rugbyworldcup.com
Sports [2]
Tonga [3]
Tonga rugby [4]
'Ikale Tahi [5]
2015 Rugby World Cup [6]
Rugby [7]

This content contains images that have not been displayed in print view.


Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2015/10/01/ikale-tahi-victory-over-namibia-hugely-important-says-mana

Links
[1] https://matangitonga.to/2015/10/01/ikale-tahi-victory-over-namibia-hugely-important-says-mana [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/sports?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga-rugby?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/tag/ikale-tahi?page=1 [6] https://matangitonga.to/tag/2015-rugby-world-cup?page=1 [7] https://matangitonga.to/topic/rugby?page=1