Tonga's strength proved too much for Zimbabwe
Photo: Graham Crichton
16 APRIL 2007
By Ryan Jennings
Tonga produced a stunning comeback to defeat Zimbabwe 26-11, having trailed 11-0 at half time in Division B at the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007.
Within minutes of the kick off Zimbabwe shocked Tonga with a lineout move that their defence was unable to deal with and flanker Andrew Rose scored off the back of a well managed maul.
Zimbabwe fly half Ryan Manyika then twice looped around the Tonga defence to win a penalty, which full back Tichafara Makwanya converted.
The game continued at a frenetic pace and after Tongan hooker Lepaola Tauveli received a yellow card, Zimbabwe were awarded a penalty which Makwanya duly converted.
For the remainder of the half Tonga put Zimbabwe under intense pressure but failed to make a breakthrough to trail 11-0 at half time.
In the opening minutes of the second half Tonga full back Mateo Malupo finished off a well worked back move after outside centre William Takai timed his offload to perfection. Sione Toke added two points with the conversion.
A second try soon followed as prop Viliami Pola picked up at the back of a ruck and shrugged off two tackles to run in from the 22 to put his side ahead for the first time.
Tonga stretched their lead soon after when replacement Fransis Penitani caught the lineout and after a ten metre drive was at the bottom of the pile as it went over the line for the third try.
With their newfound confidence, Tonga began to throw the ball wide and attack from deep. It was from these tactics that they converted a fourth and final try from number 8 Sione Kalamafeni for a 26-11 win.
QUOTES.
Tonga manager Ellis Meachen: “We had a bit of a down period in the first half but in the second we showed the kind of football we can play and in the end it was enough to come back.”
Tonga captain Richard Kaufusi: “Our first half let us down a lot. In the second we worked hard on keeping Zimbabwe pinned in their half and we were able to play a bit when we got the ball.”
Zimbabwe coach Godwin Murambiwa: “I’m disappointed as we didn’t push on from the first half but they came back hard. This sort of tournament is very important to us and it’s good to come out of the tournament definitely ranked higher than we were coming in.”
Zimbabwe captain Andrew Rose: “They weren’t expecting what they got from us in the first half but in the second they upped it a bit and we lost concentration, gave balls away and didn’t really give a good account of ourselves.”
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