Tonga dash Samoa’s World Cup hopes

04 November 2017, 12:00AM

Samoa’s hopes of advancing to the playoffs of the Rugby League World Cup suffered a major blow tonight.

It did when Tonga handed them a 32-18 loss at the much-anticipated clash of the Pacific teams at Hamilton. 

Fresh from a hat-trick in the opening-round win over Scotland, Michael Jennings claimed two further four-pointers on this occasion - twice capitalising on first-half errors from Ken Maumalo.

Tonga led 14-6 at the interval and then pulled clear in the second half with further scores from Peni Terepo and Ben Murdoch-Masila.

Ben Roberts and Tim Lafai went over as Samoa rallied, but Tonga were not to be denied and wrapped up an entertaining contest through Manu Ma'u's late score.

04 November 2017, 12:00AM
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