Tautahi Gold defeat Tau'uta Reds 26-10

Tautahi Gold were too strong for the Tau’uta Reds in the Tongan local derby to launch the 2010 IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, in front of 2800 people this afternoon at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa, eventually overcoming the more inexperienced Reds 26-10.
 
Tautahi Gold, laden with representatives of the Tonga A team that recently completed a series against Fiji A, were always expected to be too strong for their less experienced countrymen, but if they thought they were in for an easy afternoon they were sorely mistaken.
 
In a dour first half where defence dominated, neither team was able to gain the ascendency. Any time a promising attack was launched it was stifled either by poor handling or staunch defence. Ventures into opposing 22’s were rare and as such, both team resorted to penalties to open their respective accounts – Tautahi Gold landing their first penalty off the boot of Tupou Palu in the 5th minute. Reds 5/8 Fokalulu Taumalolo responded in the 33rd minute before Palu closed out the 1st half with his second to give Tautahi Gold a 6-3 lead.
 
The game sprang to life in the second half and once again, the Tau’uta Reds defence was impressive. Tautahi dominated early possession and territory, launching a relentless attack on the Reds line for over 15 phases yet the Reds defence was stoic and somehow repelled the Gold onslaught. Unfortunately for the reds though, poor kicking kept them under pressure and despite numerous penalties, could not get out of their own half. Perhaps inevitably, Gold Centre Viliame Hakalo finished off a neat piece of work by his centre partner to score the first try of the match in the left corner. Palu, who had a day out with the boot (with a 100% strike rate) converted from the sideline to give the Tautahi Gold a 16 – 3 lead.
 
Almost immediately off the kick-off, Tautahi launched a brutal forward offensive to score the very next minute with replacement prop Otulea Fifita burrowing over the line next to the posts.
 
Impressively the Reds did not give up and unleashed their impressive winger, and Tonga Sevens rep, Atalea Otaki, who made some threatening inroads down the left flank. The Reds’ determination was rewarded with a try to Palu Kata under the posts.
 
The match had all the hallmarks of a local derby with players keen to stake their claim for a National jersey in front of the Test selectors. The first half was tight, riddled with mistakes and defence oriented. The defence of the first half and the attack of the second half would have pleased Ikale Tahi Head Coach Isitola Maka. A number of players would have done their test hopes no harm – Reds winger Otaki was threatening all day and if given the space will be a dangerous player in this competition. Tautahi captain Sione Kalamafoni had a tireless performance and worked hard on and off the ball. And Isitola Maka would be licking his lips at the prospect of Gold winger Palu who had a impressive day with the boot – capped off with a penalty from the halfway line on fulltime. Perhaps he has unearthed the solution to Tonga’s recent kicking woes.