Tonga hands out lesson in true passion
Tonga team spirit puts NZ in shade as underdogs take giant leap towards final with brave win.
ECHALK one up for the quiet achievers.
Called names – and even called out for not talking themselves up – Tonga have made the most meaningful statement of all, beating New Zealand 28-22 in yesterday’s Rugby League World Cup Pool B clash at FMG Stadium Waikato.
How sweet it was. Not just for outstanding Tonga forward Jason Taumalolo, whose manhood was questioned by Kiwis captain Adam Blair.
But others as well, such as man-of-the-match David Fusitu’a and forwards Sio Suia Taukeiaho and Manu Ma’u, who joined Taumalolo in choosing Tonga over New Zealand. You can see why, given the spirit the team showed to overcome a 14-point deficit and embarrass this, allegedly, star-studded Kiwis side.
Embarrass is the word. From coach David Kidwell on down, there’s been an absence of humility about this New Zealand side. They’ve questioned others, talked up themselves and their culture, and spoken of being better off without the suspended duo of Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor.
Well, the deeds didn’t match the words in Hamilton, as the Kiwis capitulated at the feet of their first real opponent.
Never mind hopelessly out-ofshape Samoa or hapless Scotland. Beating them by big margins proved nothing about Kidwell’s coaching ability or the quality of this side.
This was New Zealand’s first examination of the tournament and they failed it. Miserably.
Tonga should’ve been toast at 16-2 down.
Dudded by a touch judge’s call, that saw a fair-looking try to Daniel Tupou called back, Tonga’s response was to immediately concede a soft converted try. Underdogs need everything to go right for them and, at a time when they might’ve trailed just 10-8 at halftime, Tonga returned to the sheds a seemingly insurmountable 14 points down.
That they were even able to turn around and make a contest of things, says a huge amount about their character. Mind you, it must be easier to respond to adversity when the crowd are so partisan towards you.
So much for Kidwell ‘‘calling out’’ New Zealanders and urging them to pack the stands. Folk cheered, all right. They were just clad in red and waving flags in support of the the visiting side.
They’re a decent team, Tonga. Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita are better than decent, while Tupou has played for Australia. But, man-for-man, New Zealand are the superior outfit overall.
But something’s wrong there. You might’ve thought last year’s draw with Scotland or the incident in May, that saw captain Bromwich and senior pro Proctor scrubbed out of this tournament, would raise alarm bells about how cohesive a camp this is under Kidwell.
As much as Taumalolo, Ma’u, Taukeiaho and Fusitu’a wanted to play for Tonga, you’re surely entitled to perceive their late switch as sign of not wanting to play for Kidwell.
As for New Zealand? Well, we assumed their quarterfinal in Wellington would be a cakewalk. But if Tonga can tip them up, there’s no reason to assume Jarryd Hayne and Fiji can’t do the same. Game on.