Oceania under 19 championship- Tonga tip Samoa

The big men slogged it out today as Samoa played Tonga, the sheer size of them is daunting and luckily both sides had their fair share of big slabs of men to counter each other every step of the way.  In the end Tonga were the victors with another tight win by 13-10.

As with every Tongan team their initial platform is laid in the pack, working tirelessly the men went about the business and big shunts in the scrum, huge hits in the field and amazing cover defence in the dying minutes secured the win.

Winger Leuma Tuiloli sneaked in at the corner after just ten minutes to get the Samoans off to the perfect start, they continued to have a go, but most movements were greeted with a Tongan wall of defence. In the last 5 mins Samoa showed their class, angles and power were thrown at Tonga, there were a couple of chances to score but today was not their day.

Tongan coach Isatola Maka said “This was a great physical game. And I am proud at the way my boys played especially in their defence in the first half. Samoa had a great many opportunities to score tries but the boys held their ground.”  “I am here to win every game whether it be Fiji or any other team. And I believe we have set the platform through this win." He went on to say that " I just want the boys to use their vision for what is in front of them and play to that, this is what i am wanting us to improve on."

Tonga now face their other Island brother Fiji this Tuesday, both teams are looking very strong and as the contest to be the best in Oceania will be a very tough one.