Wales romp to highest total for seven years
WALES 74 TONGA 24
Wales extended their unbeaten run to eight games by comprehensively crushing Tonga at the Principality Stadium yesterday.
Warren Gatland’s men overcame a brief scare when they saw an 18-point lead wiped out by the visitors, who drew level just after half-time, before Wales resumed normal service and cut loose.
An early penalty try was folowed by touchdowns for fly-half Dan Biggar, who contributed 19 points, and wing Liam Williams on his 50th Wales appearance.
But Tonga, beaten on all eight previous encounters against Wales, responded impressively through tries for locks Leva Fifita and Steve Mafi, before Saracens number eight Sione Vailanu powered over from close range.
Newcastle scrum-half Sonatane Takulua converted all three tries and kicked a penalty, but Wales pulled away during the final 30 minutes.
The hosts added tries from wing Steff Evans, scrum-half Tomos Williams, another from Liam Williams, centre Tyler Morgan, plus replacements Cory Hill, Aled Davies and Rhys Patchell, while Patchell kicked four conversions.
Wales’ winning sequence is their longest since the 2004-05 season, while victory over South Africa next weekend would complete a first autumn Tests clean sweep.
Despite Gatland making 14 changes from the side that claimed a first victory for 10 years over Australia last Saturday, Wales were ultimately far too strong as they posted their highest points total since beating Namibia 81-7 during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
Biggar, who claimed the first try for Wales and added four conversions and two penalties, said: “We’re reasonably happy. We started the game well and then we dug in and really brought it back after Tonga drew level.
“It’s pretty pleasing. I think Shaun Edwards is going to be a bit disappointed with a couple of soft tries. Ultimately, it’s a pretty good result to score 70-odd points and win a game comfortably in the end.
“I think we just did the basics pretty well. Even though we scored some really good tries and some offloads, essentially the basics of our game today were pretty good. Against any team you have to do that well in international rugby.
“A pretty pleasing effort. I think we’re fully aware that next week against South Africa is going to present a much different challenge.
“But for the lads that played today its a pretty good step for us.”