Despite their best efforts Tonga fell just short against Australia in the Pacific Championships final, losing 20-14.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Isaiya Katoa and Addin Fonua-Blake stood tall for Kristian Woolf’s side, who can’t be faulted for effort even if their execution let them down at certain points.
Read on for foxsports.com.au’s Tonga player ratings!
1. Lehi Hopoate — 8
Another strong outing from the impressive youngster. Solid under the high ball all night. Held up Xavier Coates just enough to put Sione Katoa over for the game’s opening try. Prevented a certain Tom Trbojevic four pointer before half time. Finished with 123 metres and five tackle breaks.
2. Daniel Tupou — 7
Should we expected anything else from the veteran winger? Carried the ball strongly for 143 metres, most of those acquired coming out of his own end.
Tonga’s INTENSE Sipi Tau v Australia | 02:33
18. Tolu Koula — 6
Brought into the side late and was solid without being spectacular. Got beaten easily a few times defensively but made a fantastic legs tackle on Trbojevic right before half time to prevent a try. Finished with 148 metres from 16 runs with three tackle breaks.
4. Paul Alamoti — 7
Would’ve rated higher had he not been forced from the field injured in the 43rd minute. Got caught out of position for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s early try but largely nullified the Dolphins star all night to continue his fine end to the season.
5. Sione Katoa — 7
Seriously one of the game’s most underrated wingers. Finished beautifully for the game’s opening try and took a crucial intercept to get his side 90 metres upfield in the 50th minute. Ran for 165 metres with eight tackle breaks by full time.
6. Tuimoala Lolohea — 6.5
Was far from his side’s dominant half, running for just 21 metres, but was the better kicker of the Tonga halves. Brilliantly weighted grubber for Haumole Olakau’atu’s second half try. Was targeted defensively and was largely up to the task, making 18 tackles for just one miss.
Tonga call in Manly finals star | 01:09
7. Isaiya Katoa — 8
A theme of young Katoa’s career is that his largely brilliant performances are clouded by a few costly errors. Showed his ballplaying brilliance to hold Tom Dearden up in the build up to Katoa’s opener, forced a first half drop out with a nice grubber and was largely strong defensively. But, he committed some big errors: conceded the seven tackle set preceding Tabuai-Fidow’s try and lost the ball after Katoa’s 50th minute intercept. Still, there can be no denying his immense talent.
8. Addin Fonua-Blake — 9
Was inspirational from the first minute, beginning the game as if he had been shot out of a cannon. After four minutes he’d run for 41 metres. By full time that figure had risen to 204, by far the most of any player on the field. Had six tackle breaks and three offloads to cap an enormous performance from Tonga’s captain.
9. Siliva Havili —- 5.5
A quiet game from the Rabbitohs man, making no runs but showing physicality in defence. Rocked Lindsay Collins in the third minute and finished with 19 tackles without a miss.
10. Felise Kaufusi — 6.5
A very Felise Kaufusi performance. Two massive shots – in the 10th minute on Xavier Coates and 70th minute on Patrick Carrigan – to set the tone for his side, but struggled to dent Australia’s line with ball in hand. His 56 metres game from eight runs.
11. Haumole Olakau’atu — 8
Typically physical in defence early and dangerous with ball in hand, required four Kangaroos to drag him down every time he ran. Held Edwards up in the 38th minute and scored late to give his side a sniff of victory before making a poor 67th minute error with Tonga attacking Australia’s line. Regardless, a strong performance from the Manly edge, who finished with 141 metres, eight tackle breaks and 21 tackles – no misses.
12. Eliesa Katoa — 8
Continued his fine year with a slyly fine performance. Nearly scored in the 35th minute; finally powered over for a try 40 minutes later. Filled in briefly at right centre once Alamoti went off. Can hold his head high with 160 metres, four tackle breaks, four offloads and 29 tackles.
13. Jason Taumalolo — 7
Was incredibly physically during the opening 20 minutes when Tonga had the ascendancy. Squeezed 116 metres in 51 minutes. A solid outing from the Cowboys veteran.
14. Soni Luke — 6
Had some flashes of craft coming out of dummy half, always looking to scheme and create whenever the opportunity presented itself. Cannot fault his efforts, even if he missed the tackle leading to Trbojevic’s try right before half time.
16. Taniela Paseka — 5
Caught napping for Turbo’s try right before half time. Failed to make any inroads against the Australian middles, running for just 35 minutes from five hit ups.
17. Siua Wong — 6
Filled in strongly at right centre once Alamoti was taken from the field and nearly went close to scoring late in the piece. Had 11 runs for 91 metres with four tackle breaks, a solid return give he was thrust into unfamiliar territory.
19. Keaon Koloamatangi — 7
How good is this guy? Helped hold Dylan Edwards up in the 36th minute and began exerting himself on the contest late in the piece, ball playing and damaging whenever he ran the ball. Finished with 84 metres from nine runs.
Discussion about this post