Tonga Rugby League sise (the Mate Ma'a) has steadily grown in stature in recent years to the point they were invited to tour England for a three match series. Many of the Tongan players are part of the large diaspora that lives in NZ and Australia, which exposes them to a high level of the code.
England were still smarting from failing to reach the final of the World Cup as hosts the year before. They wanted to prove they they could take on a big Tongan team from the professional NRL competition Down Under.
England 22-18 Tonga. The first match in the series was very close and it could have gone either way. In the end, England rode their luck and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
England 14-4 Tonga. A rain soaked match (what, in England?) was better handled by the locals as they took an unassailable lead in the series. They led 12-0 at the turn around and nulified a possible comeback my Mate Ma'a.
England 26-4 Tonga. England were determined not to allow any complacency to creep in while Tonga wanted at least one win from the series. The first point was delivered but not the second one. Tonga struggled to fire shots and were outplayed. A bit of niggle too crept into proceedings but in the end it was a comprehensive display by the host team.
To see the third match below:
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