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Home > ‘Ikale Tahi defeats Manu Samoa 30 - 26

‘Ikale Tahi defeats Manu Samoa 30 - 26 [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Saturday, July 1, 2017 - 19:19.  Updated on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 - 15:26.

Photos by Pesi Fonua and Eleanor Gee

'Atieli Pakalani scores for Tonga, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.

By Finau Fonua

The ‘Ikale Tahi defeated Manu Samoa 30 – 26 today at Teufaiva Stadium, winning their first home game in Tonga since 2009. The dramatic encounter saw a thrilling end with the ‘Ikale Tahi preventing a Samoan try during extra-time to win the game.

Manu Samoa drew first blood with a successful penalty conversion by Kahn Fotuali’i. The ‘Ikale Tahi responded shortly with two tries in quick succession, the first by flanker Nili Latu and the second by full back ‘Atieli Pakalani. The two tries gave the ‘Ikale Tahi a convincing lead 14 – 3.

A penalty conversion and a try by Manu Samoa closed the gap to 14 – 13. Sonatane Takulua converted two penalties to maintain Tonga’s lead. At half-time the score was 20 – 16.

In the second-half, Tusi Pisi converted a penalty to narrow the score to 20 – 19. The ‘Ikale Tahi gave another explosive response with a try scored by Sona Takulua followed by a penalty conversion to open up a comfortable lead 30 – 19.

The Samoan backline suddenly sprang into life in the last quarter of the game and made multiple line breaks. Manu Samoa scored a try to narrow the gap to 30 – 26. During fulltime, Manu Samoa almost pulled-off a comeback victory with a final assault within only a few metres of the Tongan try line. The Samoans crossed the line but the ball was held-up, Tonga winning 30 – 26.

Thrills in the first minute as Tonga breaks for the try line. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
'Ikale Tahi performing the Sipi Tau, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Manu Samoa performing the Siva Tau, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Steve Mafi, makes a line break, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Sona Takulua converts a try for Tonga. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
Nili Latu supports the scrum. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
Sona Takulua places his kick. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
Sona Takulua clears for Tonga. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa. 1 July 2017.
Solid defence displayed by Tonga. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa. 1July 2017.
Scrumtime. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa. 1 July 2017.
Dan Faleafa powers through a Samoan defender. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa. 1 July 2017.
Fotuali'i clears for Manu Samoa. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa. 1 July 2017.
Touch Judge Nick Briant talks to Manu Samoa no. 9. Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Crunching collision, Nafi Tu'itavake for Tonga at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
Line out, Steve Mafi for 'Ikale Tahi. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
Tusi Pisi. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa. 1 July 2017.
Tension as Captain Siale Piutau awaits the referees final decision. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
Final score, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Happiness is red at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
Captain Siale Piutau with 'Ikale Tahi and Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva. Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa. 1 July 2017.
Happiness is red at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
Happiness is red at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa, 1 July 2017.
'Ikale Tahi fans, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Peni Tameifuna, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Teufaiva Stadium. 1 July 2017.
Taufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Manu Samoa fans, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Siua Halanukonuka with fans, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
A Manu Samoa with fans, Taufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni with Japanese Ambassador HE Mr Yukio Numata and his wife, Teufaiva Stadium, 1 July 2017.
Sports [2]
'Ikale Tahi [3]
Manu Samoa [4]
Rugby [5]

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Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2017/07/01/ikale-tahi-defeats-manu-samoa-30-26

Links
[1] https://matangitonga.to/2017/07/01/ikale-tahi-defeats-manu-samoa-30-26 [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/sports?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/ikale-tahi?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/manu-samoa?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/topic/rugby?page=1