Tonga outstanding in win over Lions

Tonga caused a huge upset against the Great Britain Lions in Hamilton on Saturday night, beating the Wayne Bennettcoached team 14-6.

On the same ground where they beat the Kiwis 28-22 at the World Cup two years ago to signal Tonga as a new powerhouse of international footy, they produced another outstanding effort for a memorable victory.

Halfback Ata Hingano was a late scratching from the Tongan team and replaced by Tesi Niu, who is yet to make his NRL debut for the Broncos.

Kotoni Staggs was also replaced by a chubby-looking Konrad Hurrell at centre just before the game began.

But even those changes didn’t deter Tonga from the job at hand and they played with far more passion than the Lions.

This was a far better effort from Tonga than when they were badly beaten 34-14 by the Lions in Auckland in June.

It was a poor start for Tonga with the kickoff going out on the full, but they were able to put the early pressure on the Lions, inspired by their vocal supporters in the crowd.

The British defence had a real battle on its hands to keep out charges at their line from Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Jason Taumalolo, while Niu was making breathtaking runs from the back.

However, it wasn’t until the 30th minute that the first points came, with Michael Jennings capitalising on some loose play after the ball was kicked through the Lions’ defence.

His try was converted by Taukeiaho to give Tonga a deserved lead.

In the final play of the first half, there was incredible stuff from Tonga to keep avoiding being tackled, with their players treating the ball like a hot potato.

Eventually, after 15 passes, a gap opened up and Sione Katoa dived on a grubber for a try.

The Lions had more ball for the start of the second half, but struggled to do much with it, while Tonga’s goal line defence was outstanding.

Next up for the Lions on Saturday is their first test against the Kiwis, who lost 26-4 to Australia on Friday night, at Eden Park, while Tonga play the Kangaroos.