'If a tier 1 team was to play that day, would the game still go on?' - Tonga stars slam World Rugby over bog-like match conditions
Tongan players have taken to social media to voice their frustration surrounding the decision to allow their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Samoa to go ahead in atrocious conditions at Apia Park on Saturday.
The hosts toppled the visiting Tongan side, claiming the match 27-15 after the ‘Ikale Tahi had two players – Sosefo Sakalia and Fetu Lokotui – sin binned late in the encounter.
Manu Samoa capitalised by scoring 12 unanswered points in the final eight minutes via tries to Afa Amosa and debutant Belgium Tuatagaloa, which accompanied an earlier five-pointer to veteran midfielder Alapati Leiua.
It wasn’t the in-game refereeing decisions that is the root of Tonga’s frustrations, however, but rather the decision to allow the game to kick-off in the first place.
The pitch degenerated considerably in the wake of torrential rain in the Samoan capital, leaving the ground looking more like a muddy bog than a test-quality rugby field.
Tonga utility back Cooper Vuna questioned the decision to allow the match to go ahead on Twitter, posting: “Please @WorldRugby enlighten us all on what processes you took to allow this game to go ahead? My question is – if a tier 1 team was to play that day ,would the game still go on?”
Please @WorldRugby enlighten us all on what processes you took to allow this game to go ahead? My question is – if a tier 1 team was to play that day ,would the game still go on? #PlayerWelfare https://t.co/TwWkrqkn5N
— Cooper Vuna (@CVUNA) July 28, 2019
Scarlets-bound Hurricanes lock and Tonga debutant Sam Lousi also voiced his displeasure at World Rugby’s choice to let the game take place.
S/o to @WorldRugby for signing off the field for us to play on today???? pic.twitter.com/nQxgc2bZYs
— Sam Lousi (@samlousi) July 27, 2019
An injury to captain Nasi Manu, who was set to return to rugby for the first time in over a year after overcoming testicular cancer, prior to kick-off added to Tonga’s woes, with the 30-year-old ruled out of action for the entire Pacific Nations Cup campaign.
Nevertheless, it was Toutai Kefu’s side who got the better start in the match, with former Wallabies wing Vuna crossing for his second-ever test try in the 11th minute.
A penalty in the 22nd minute to Samoan debutant UJ Seutini cut Tonga’s lead to two points, but a try late in the first half to Racing 92 prop Ben Tameifuna gave the visitors a 10-3 lead at the break.
However, Leiua’s converted try and a second penalty to Seutini handed the hosts the lead for the first time 10 minutes into the second half, and although Sakalia’s converted try in the 59th minute handed the ‘Ikale Tahi the lead once more, his and Lokotui’s dismissals three minutes apart from each other was ultimately Tonga’s undoing.
The victory puts Samoa in second place in Pool B, and third place overall, as they trail the United States and Japan, respectively.
Tonga, meanwhile, also lie in second place in their pool, due to having a better points difference than Fiji after John McKee’s side went down 34-21 to the Brave Blossoms in Kamaishi.
The Tongans will now travel to Osaka, where they will face Japan in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup, while Samoa will head to Suva to take on the United States in the Fijian capital.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Ah, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
22 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
22 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
22 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
22 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
22 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to comments