Tonga make Scots suffer

Vuna bags a brace for Tongans as Bravehearts bow out with a loss

Last updated: 8th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Tonga make Scots suffer

Paea: Influential for Tongans

Skysports.com star man
Eddie Paea - Set up one and scored another in Tonga's fast start that laid the platform for a comprehensive win

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Scotland were unable to end their World Cup campaign on a winning note as they slipped to a heavy 48-0 defeat to Tonga.

The seventh-placed play-off turned into a rout as the Tongans ran in eight tries, Cooper Vuna grabbing two of them, without reply in Rockhampton.

Defeat was a major disappointment for the Bravehearts, who were without influential skipper Danny Brough due to injury.

They were unable to follow up their maiden World Cup win over Fiji in Gosford on Wednesday night as they melted in the high temperatures.

Fresh

Unlike their opponents, Tonga looked fresh right from the kick-off having had eight days of preparation since their loss to rivals Samoa.

In the opening 11 minutes they allowed the Scots to have possession just once, and by half time the game was over as a contest with a 24-0 scoreline.

Eddie Paea set up the first try with a pin-point kick for Feleti Mateo and then scored the second himself, running onto Tevita Leo-Latu's pass and straight through a sizeable hole in the defensive line.

Epalahame Lauaki's cut-out pass led to Etuate Uaisele diving over for a third try, although the Scots did their best to battle back.

Interception

Iain Morrison lost the ball diving for the line while another spell of pressure did end with a try - sadly for Tonga. Scrum-half John Duffy, in for Brough, saw his pass intercepted by Vuna, who ran in from 85 metres.

The winger completed his brace at the start of the second half following on from a rampaging scoring run from Tony Williams, who also kicked six goals.

The move of the game was finished off by Fetuli Talanoa on the hour mark and the impressive Paea rounded out the scoring in the dying seconds.

Scotland did have further chances but it proved a game too far for Steve McCormack's squad, who can at least return home from Down Under having created a little piece of rugby league history for their country.

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