Great Britain slump against Tonga Invitational XIII after 12-year break

Great Britain returned to life after a 12-year hiatus but the Tongan Invitational XIII spoiled the party, romping to a stunning 14-6 victory in Hamilton. Tries from Michael Jennings and Sione Katoa in the first half were enough to clinch an impressive win for the Pacific nation.

Put on the back-burner after 2007 to allow England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland to develop individually, excitement levels were raised among rugby league traditionalists about the return of the Lions as a grand old entity on a four-match tour. But the Mate Ma’a, who announced themselves so impressively on the global stage at the 2017 World Cup, clearly didn’t get the message.

For two years Tonga had failed to match their heroics by beating New Zealand and then going within a whisker of knocking off England in the World Cup semi-finals. In the lead-up to this match in New Zealand’s North Island, they had been embroiled in a messy political battle between their governing body and players, meaning this team had to be rebranded as an invitational side to ensure the game even went ahead.

Perhaps that dispute helped provide the extra motivation the Pacific Islanders needed to get back to their unpredictable best and defeat a strong team made up of NRL and Super League stars.

FMG Stadium Waikato is somewhat oddly located right next to a graveyard. The Hamilton East Cemetery is more than 150 years old and if the souls of Lions legends Jim Sullivan and Mick Sullivan were watching on, they would have been concerned at the below-par display of the current representatives.

Tonga put themselves on the back foot early when Salford half-back Tui Lolohea kicked the ball straight out from the kick-off. But they weathered the Lions’ early barrage and wrestled back control with some stinging hits in defence.

Tonga were winning the yardage battle in the first 18 minutes and causing Great Britain problems. Twice they forced drop-outs as they effectively build pressure on their opponent’s try-line. The Lions made things harder for themselves with forced passes and simple errors.

Spurred by a vocal sea of red support in the stands, Tonga maintained their composure and broke the deadlock on 29 minutes. Jennings crossed after Gareth Widdop failed to clean up a kick in behind the line. The Tongans picked up the scraps, the ball was recycled quickly to Jennings and the centre scooted over out wide. Sio Sua Taukeiaho added the extras to give them a deserved 6-0 lead.

With six minutes left in the first half Manu Ma’u should have extended the lead, but he lost the ball as he fell over the line.

But it mattered not as right on the siren the magnificent Mate Ma’a struck again. The increasingly confident Tongans threw the ball around at will and finally ended with Jennings putting Katoa in for a try in the corner with a perfect grubber.

Down 12-0 and half-time came as a relief to a battered Great Britain. They were simply unable to match the energy and power of the tenacious Tongans.

In the second half the Lions regrouped and tried to fight their way back into the contest. Oliver Gildart almost scored five minutes in, but his effort was ruled out by the video referee. Tonga’s defence held firm and again basic errors were Great Britain’s downfall.

In the 59th minute it got worse when Gildart was taken off with a worrying shoulder injury. Three minutes later Tonga went further ahead with Taukeiaho penalty goal from right in front.

Great Britain managed to hit back in the 69th minute when John Bateman barged over. Widdop converted the try but it wasn’t enough on a dismal comeback for the Lions.

Outgunned for the vast majority of the evening, Great Britain need to recover quickly with a clash against New Zealand at Eden Park, as part of a massive triple-header, a week away.

source: theguardian.com