Tonga have produced one of the greatest upsets in rugby league history with victory over Australia at Eden Park.
Tonga's giant-killing ways has claimed its greatest scalp defeating the world No.1 Kangaroos 16-12 for the first time.
In the face of political turmoil and player boycott, this Tongan side might be an invitational in name but they delivered more than anyone anticipated.
Australia had never lost to a tier two nation but Tonga has now completed the clean-sweep of top tier countries having beaten Great Britain and New Zealand in recent years.
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But this was the one they wanted. Despite the civil unrest Tonga’s time has arrived.
“There were a few days there we were sitting by the phone wondering what was going to happen,” Tongan coach Kristian Woolf said.
“There were days we started to wonder if things were going to happen. It’s like your life is on hold. Sometimes that phone call doesn’t come. We need the right governance in Tonga. We’ve shown what we’re capable.”
It was a sea of red with the 25,275 crowd getting behind the Tongans. They struck first when Will Hopoate crashed over from dummy half after 20 minutes.
Australia scored next through Jack Wighton six minutes later and when Paul Vaughan scored at the halfway point the Kangaroos led 12-6 at half-time.
The Kangaroos would go scoreless for the next 50 minutes. Michael Jennings finally got his reward when he scored five minutes after half-time, capitalising on a poor defensive read from Jack Wighton.
Tonga snatched the lead back via a Tevita Pangai Junior try and never gave up the margin. Jason Taumalolo said he would have retired had this match not gone ahead.
He declared the victory better than his 2015 premiership with the Cowboys.
“This is the highlight of my career,” Taumalolo said.
“This is a feeling I’ll remember for the rest of my life. To go from almost not playing test footy to putting on red and white but changing our name the boys did well to prepare and come into this.”
MAL’S SAY
Australia have now lost two of their past four matches. With a Kangaroo tour next year it is unknown when Australia will play Tonga again.
It could happen at the 2021 World Cup. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said his side were hurting.
“We have no excuses,” Meninga said.
“Tonga came with a plan and executed it better than us. We weren’t composed or patient with the footy. They’ve added to the list of good international footy teams. The international game is starting to expand. It all adds to a very competitive world.
“We are going through a transition with a lot of younger players coming into the footy team. It will be a good learning curve for the debutants. I’m not using it as an excuse.”
FIFITA SAYS IT ALL
Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo led the journey when they opted to choose to play for Tonga two years ago.
Taumalolo indicated he would retire from representative football had the players been stopped from playing. Now Fifita said there is no denying Tonga are the real deal.
“They are the world champions and we are a little tier-two nation and no-one believed in us,” Fifita said.
“All I can say is Tonga is here to play and we are on the world stage.”
That's it from me, thanks so much for spending the time here today.
For those of you taking score:
Fiji beat Samoa 44-18, and it wasn't that close.
New Zealand beat Great Britain 12-8 and it was that close.
And, of course, TONGA BEAT AUSTRALIA 16-12, GOD IT WAS GREAT.
See you next time, stay safe, and die for Tonga.
This is the first time an Australia side has lost to someone other than NZ/Great Britain since 1978! That's 41 years! Tonga!!!!!!!!1
THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT! THEY'RE GOING TO WIN! TONGA ARE GOING TO BEAT AUSTRALIA!
AUSTRALIA HAD THEM IN BROKEN PLAY! THEY HAD THE NUMBERS! TEDESCO TRIED TO GO TO COTRIC AND IT WENT BEHIND HIM! FORTY SECONDS! TONGA BALL, CORDNER GOES FOR A STRIP, TONGA PENALTY! THEY HAVE DONE IT!
Munster fires out a pass and Australia have the overlap. Hurrell goes for the intercept – if he takes he wouldn't have scored, but Tonga would have had the ball with two minutes left. But he can't. Australia ball. Scrum feed 30 out. If Tonga hold them out there, they win. Two to go.
Lolohea kicks it over the sideline after a good set from Tonga, a strong carry from Taumalolo the highlight. Three minutes left. The crowd is signing, I am crying, can they do it!