Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Tonga upset Australia A in Nuku'alofa

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Bernard Foley of the Wallabies runs through drills during an Australia Wallabies Captain's Run at Eden Park on September 23, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Wallabies’ depth ahead of the Rugby World Cup has been called into serious question, with an Australia A side beaten 27-21 by Tonga in Nuku’alofa.

ADVERTISEMENT

The hosts skipped to a 24-0 halftime lead on the back of four unanswered tries, before the disjointed Australian side steadied in the second and found three straight tries of their own on Friday.

Former Wallabies regulars Bernand Foley and James O’Connor were both unconvincing in the midfield battle as they looked to play themselves back into Eddie Jones’ World Cup plans, the latter improving in the second half as his side finally got going.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

Mammoth prop Taniela Tupou got through the first half unscathed in his return from a ruptured Achilles, having travelled with the Wallabies to South Africa last week but not featuring in the side’s heavy Rugby Championship loss to the Springboks.

Tupou will likely be eyeing off the Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand at the MCG on July 29 for his Wallabies return.

It was something of a warning shot from Tonga ahead of the World Cup in France, looking dynamic with the ball in their first-half blitz spearheaded by fullback Charles Piutau.

The Australians looked flimsy in defence, with a number of handling errors deep in Tongan territory and kicks out on the full leading to them being pushed aside early.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speedster Corey Toole got Australia on the board early after the break and they continued finding success out wide with tries for Lachie Anderson and Josh Flook.

Reserve halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa impressed after coming off the bench and changed the game with his energy, with hooker Lachie Lonergan and back-rower Harry Wilson also strong.

Tonga – coached by Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu – have got a particularly tough World Cup draw, taking on Ireland (ranked world No.1), South Africa (fourth), Scotland (fifth) and Romania (19th).

ADVERTISEMENT

Tackling reasons for drop-out in sport | Zainab Alema | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Krakow | Leg 3 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series | Full Day Replay

Kubota Spears vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

2 Comments
J
Jon 649 days ago

Upset? haha I don't think these journos know whats coming?

M
Michael 649 days ago

Good display from Tonga, testing systems and sharpening up for bigger tests. Looking forward to seeing what they can do moving forward.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
SK 28 minutes ago
South African rugby's top heavy house of cards

I think everyone knows that the SA teams are prioritising the URC which is why they have been so bad in Europe. The champions cup group stage fixtures couldnt come at a worse time for SA franchises. They come hot on the heels of the Autumn internationals and in December and Jan when its coldest in Europe and as hot as it gets in SA. During this period SA franchises have to leap from Africa to Europe one week after the next. SA franchises sometimes have to hop from Europe back to Africa and then back to Europe in 3 to 4 weeks. Mandatory Springbok rest periods are opted into by franchises to keep the players fit as the Springbok players cannot play year-round and injuries take their toll. Fatigue also sets in for players who have played non-stop since March as there is no global calendar. They don’t get a chance to regroup again until the six nations. SA teams prioritise what’s in front of them. The Springboks are top heavy and SA franchises are in Transition between the new and older generation. There are lots of youngsters coming through but they need more time at the top level. Coaching is also in transition in SA Rugby with many coaches at a young age. The age group levels SA has underperformed but the talent is there. Its coming through at franchise level and these players are getting great experience playing in a variety of comps. I would hardly call it a house of cards though. Succession planning has already become a reality. At Prop the Springboks are already replacing the seniors, at Scrum Half the Springboks are building depth and at 10 they have loads of options now and at 4 and 5 the Boks have used a host of players in recent years. Rassie has a plan for 2027 and the best coaching staff at international level. He has some difficult questions in front of him when it comes to the squad but is finding answers at the moment. Yes its possible Springbok performances could dip this year and perhaps in 2026 however I would not bet against them continuing to dominate while in transition. There were similar doubts cast about them last year and they proved the doubters wrong.

1 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Crusaders impact could put veteran O’Connor in Wallabies mix for Lions Crusaders impact could put veteran O’Connor in Wallabies mix for Lions
Search