Tonga vs Italy

rhugh89

rhugh89

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Thread for this Group C clash on Monday 11th November

12:30am (EDT)
11:30pm (AEST)

Live on 7mate

Tonga vs Italy - 2013 World Cup @ The Shay, Halifax


Head to Head

Played - 0
Tonga - 0
Italy - 0


In England

Played - 0
Tonga - 0
Italy - 0


World Cup Matches

Played - 0
Tonga - 0
Italy - 0


Tonga's Record in the World Cup

Played - 10
Won - 4
Drawn - 1
Lost - 5


Tonga's Overall Test Record

Played - 21
Won - 8
Drawn - 1
Lost - 12


Italy's Record in the World Cup

Played - 2
Won - 1
Drawn - 1


Italy's Overall Test Record

Played - 16
Won - 8
Drawn - 2
Lost - 6


2013 WORLD CUP STATS


Metres Gained

Tonga - 2,803m (3rd in the 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 2,771m (4th in the 2013 RLWC)


Tries

Tonga - 9 (Equal 7th in the 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 11 (Equal 4th in the 2013 RLWC)


Line Breaks

Tonga - 7 (Equal 8th in the 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 10 (Equal 4th in the 2013 RLWC)


Tackle Breaks

Tonga - 90 (BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 47 (10th in the 2013 RLWC)


Tackles

Tonga - 596 (9th in the 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 553 (12th in the 2013 RLWC)


Missed Tackles

Tonga - 64 (6th in the 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 39 (11th in the 2013 RLWC)


Errors

Tonga - 25 (6th in the 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 21 (Equal 7th in the 2013 RLWC)


40/20's

Tonga - 0 (EQUAL WORST IN THE 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 0 (EQUAL WORST IN THE 2013 RLWC)


Yellow Cards

Tonga - 0 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 0 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)


Red Cards

Tonga - 0 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 0 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)


Penalties Recieved

Tonga - 16 (Equal 6th in the 2013 RLWC)
Italy - 11 (LEAST AMOUNT IN THE 2013 RLWC)


Facts and Figures


* These 2 teams have never played each other


* Tonga are Ranked Number 10 in the RLIF Rankings


* Italy are Ranked Number 13 in the RLIF Rankings




* 2013 World Cup Stats courtesy of www.rlwc2013.com

* Historical Stats are my own work

* As with my stats in Knights games through out the year the Errors and Missed Tackles Stats are in reversed order, The higher your ranking the worse it is e.g Tonga are ranked 6th in Errors, This means they make the sixth highest amount of errors out of the 14 teams competing at the 2013 RLWC
 
Last edited:
Is that where he hurt knee? Have they played since?, am out of country and no football here so picking up bits and prices when I can get wi fi through this site only
 
No, Italy haven't played since that game. He did hurt his knee but I think it was minor and he will probably play against Tonga.
 
Tonga v Italy preview

By Chris Kennedy
NRL.com
11:00am Sun 10th November, 2013

Tonga v Italy

The Shay, Halifax

Sunday 4pm (UK time)
Monday 3am (AEDT), 2am (AEST)

This week brought heartbreak for the Tongan side, forced to sit idly by as Scotland overcame a gallant Tomahawks outfit to move them to five points in Group C and end Tonga's hopes of advancing.

Expect them to look to take out their frustrations on Italy, who themselves wouldn't have cared for the Scotland result; they now need a win over Tonga to ensure passage through to the quarter-finals.

The good news for the Italians is that their heavy win over Wales means any win – even by a single point – puts them in front of the Bravehearts on differential, making the equation a simple one: win and progress; lose or draw and bow out.

With those kinds of stakes this match should be a belter. The frustrated Mate Ma'a were favoured to progress from Group C and they will be looking to make a statement in their final game of the tournament. The Azzurri have everything to play for, making this compelling viewing.

Watch Out Tonga

After the USA, Italy have probably been the surprise packet of the tournament. Unbeaten so far and with a quarter-final place on the line, they will be well and truly fired up for this one.

Key men up front for the Azzurri will be their powerful props, Raider Paul Vaughan and former Tiger and Titan Anthony Laffranchi.

As a pair, they are averaging 300 metres per game over the opening two fixtures and will be crucial to putting the Azzurri in strong field position – from where the likes of in-form centre Aiden Guerra (two try assists, two tries, 122 average metres and 13 tackle breaks) will look to take advantage.

Watch Out Italy

The fact they have been bundled out early will make the Mate Ma'a even more fired up, and their host of NRL players make them dangerous across the park.

Despite his team's lacklustre performances, Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell has been devastating, averaging 165 metres per game with six tackle breaks and one runaway try.

Key Match-Up

The front rows. We're really looking forward to seeing the experienced Brent Kite and explosive Fuifui Moimoi taking on the in-form Azzurri bookends.

Both these sides have won the yardage battle very comfortably in both their games so far – Italy by over 300 metres against Wales and over 400 metres against Scotland, and Tonga by 150 against the Cook Islands and by almost 450 against Scotland (yet they still lost somehow!).

Televised

7mate – Live Monday 2.30am (NSW); 1.30am (Qld).

The Way We See It

These have been two of the tougher sides to tip in the tournament, for differing reasons. It remains to be seen how the fact that Tonga can't progress will affect their concentration – or whether the fact there is a finals spot on the line will make the Italians nervous.

Tonga have been underwhelming twice so far so on that basis we'll take the Azzurri by 8.


http://www.nrl.com/tonga-v-italy-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/75321/default.aspx
 
Plenty to play for in this game...

If Italy win they will finish First in Group C and book a Quarter Finals clash with NZ..

Tonga can't make the Quarters but they can decide the fate of Scotland...

If Tonga win it will be Scotland who finish First in Group C and book a Quarter Finals clash with NZ...

We have 3 players playing in this game with Siutonga Likiliki playing for Tonga and Kade Snowden / Josh Mantellato playing for Italy !!
 
Scots through as Tonga lash Italy

AAP
6:12am Mon 11th November, 2013

35112_20_1.jpg

Tonga ended Italy's World Cup campaign with a 16-0 win in their final match of the group stage.


Scotland are through to a unlikely World Cup quarter-final against holders New Zealand after Tonga ended Italy's fairytale run with a 16-0 defeat in Halifax.

Although the Scots ended their group campaign with five points out of a possible six, their fate hung in the balance until after Sunday's clash at The Shay.

Scotland coach Steve McCormack and his squad watched the action on television from their Manchester hotel knowing an Italian victory would put his undefeated team out of the competition and the tension must have been unbearable after a try-less first half, which closed with Tonga just 2-0 in front.

However, the Tongans came to the Bravehearts' rescue, roared on by the 10,266 crowd, as charging runs by Fuifui Moimoi lifted his side.

Instead of going through to the last eight, Italy finish bottom of Group C after suffering their first defeat.

Scotland, who will have been relieved to see Italy have two tries disallowed, will now go back into training to prepare for Friday's clash with the Kiwis at Headingley.

The Pacific Islanders had the better of the first half but Italy's defence, superbly marshalled by skipper Anthony Minichiello, held firm and Tonga's hard-running threequarters Mahe Fonua and Jorge Taufua were both bundled into touch just short of the corner.

The only points of the first half came a minute before the break when Italy were caught offside in front of their posts and stand-off Samsoni Langi opted to go for goal.

Italy thought they had scored again within a minute of the re-start when they shifted the ball to the right to get centre James Tedesco into space and he sped away to the line.

However, for the second time video referee Phil Bentham ruled the Italian player had been unable to ground the ball and Tonga made the most of the let-off.

A barnstorming run from Moimoi got his side into a great attacking position and Willie Manu took Langi's short pass to crash through the Italian defence for a try.
Langi's conversion made it 8-0 but the Azzurri came back stronger than ever.

The Tongan defence was subjected to relentless pressure but impressive full-back Nesiasi Mataitonga launched a counter-attack to set up the position for Foster to force his way over for a solo try, although he appeared to put the ball down on a defender's leg.

If there was any controversy over the score, it was quickly forgotten as Foster carved out a third try for substitute Peni Terepo to wrap up the win.


http://www.nrl.com/scots-through-as-tonga-lash-italy/tabid/10874/newsid/75343/default.aspx


- - - Updated - - -

By the clock: Tonga v Italy

By Chris Kennedy
NRL.com
10:26am Mon 11th November, 2013


2nd minute: A huge charge from Moimoi sits big Canberra prop Vaughan on his backside; Tonga looking better early.

3rd minute: Tongan hooker Politoni is down clutching his shoulder, and he's going off. Doesn't look like he'll be back. Pressure on backup hooker Seluini now.

6th minute: Poor last tackle play from Italy sees Anthony Minichiello forced to hoof it downfield, he gets maybe 10 metres and the chasers are offside anyway. The penalty puts Tonga in great position.

7th minute: Great cutout from Langi almost puts Willie Manu over but he loses it under pressure from the defence. Let off for Italy.

12th minute: Dropped cold by Riethmuller right as Italy threatened to go on the attack for the first time.

15th minute: Another dropped ball from Italy after getting into Tonga's half as Parata loses it in the play the ball, but Foster quickly returns the favour. It's all a bit scrappy at the moment.

20th minute: Langi tackled on the last now. Last play options have been poor tonight and this will give Italy their first real chance.

21st minute: True to form the last play option is poor, as a Minichiello grubbed is easily marked by Tonga.

23rd minute: Do we have first points? Mantellato has claimed it. Ghetti's cross field kick is knocked back, Ciraldo does well to get it out to Mantellato... But oh dear, his grounding is millimetres short then he's rolled over and held up. Italy will get it back due to a Tongan knock on in the lead up but take a bow Tupou for a tremendous try saving tackle.

27th minute: Tonga drop the ball then give up a penalty to help Italy back up to their line but Minichiello drops it early in the count. Not having his best game, the skipper.

28th minute: Tonga on the attack now as Centrone drops it on the first following a scrum 10 metres out, but Fonua is bundled into touch as he looks to score.

30th minute: Is that a scrum against the feed? The ball goes in and comes out and Tonga dive on it. Then Taufua is bundled over the exact same piece of sideline where Fonua went out a minute or two ago.

35th minute: Italy drop it in the middle of the park, then Tonga drop it in the middle of the park. Neither side looks like they want to score, we could have nil-all at half time at this rate.

39th minute: After back to back penalties Tonga decide to take the free two points. They had time for a full set and the Italians looked spent, a quick tap might have been the play here but they'll take a two point lead into half time after an entertaining but scrappy first half. Tonga 2-nil.

41st minute: Boom! Moimoi explodes into Nasso, who goes flying. He's started the second half much like the first, has Fuifui.

42nd minute: Possible Italy try. After a great set Tedesco goes through the line, he's grounded it short then slides in but it looks like some brilliant work from Terepo to get under the ball and roll him over. Held up again.

47th minute: Surely this is the first try? Another Italy error helps Tonga on the attack and Manu pushes through four defenders. He had plenty of work to do but it
looks like the point of the footy gets to the turf... Video ref agrees, 8-nil to Tonga now.

51st minute: Brilliant charge down Nasso! He found himself in space and no-one in front of him, the little legs were pumping but Foster tracked him down in no time. It puts Italy on the attack and again a poor last tackle kick lets the pressure off.

54th minute: A neat tackle from Guerra to force a drop-out. The player had submitted and Guerra bumped him back. Under NRL rules that probably would have been a Tongan penalty but Italy get yet another chance.

55th minute: It's a rare good last tackle kick from Italy but a great leaping take – from Konrad Hurrell of all people – gets Tonga off the hook.

57th minute: Crunch! A monster hit from Hurrell on Ciraldo, the ball comes spraying out and it sends arms and legs flying, Ciraldo eventually gets up then slumps down again. He'll be feeling that for a while.

60th minute: Innovative kick from Falcone on the first play from a scrum almost gets the result, but the Azzurri will still get a line drop-out. They desperately need to start converting some of these chances.

63rd minute: Story of the night for Italy as they force another drop-out, then get a penalty, then drop the ball only to see Maitatonga run 50 metres.

65th minute: Try Tonga! Foster sells the dummy and runs past a few to score, they don't need to check this. Minichiello is furious though, right up in the referee's face, he wanted it to go upstairs, presumably to check a double movement. Tonga 12-0 as the conversion misses.

69th minute: Another Azzurri attacking raid comes unstuck, this time with a somewhat harsh penalty for Tonga. Italy deemed to have interfered with a defender after the kick.

73rd minute: Tedesco and Centrone find space down the right touch line, but a pass back infield goes to Tonga. Yet another chance goes begging for Italy.

77th minute: Another potential chance for Italy but they throw it into touch as Mantellato overruns the Santi pass.

79th minute: One last Azzurri attacking raid comes undone as Tupou brilliantly marks the Ghetti kick and runs 80 metres.

80th minute: Try Terepo! Very scrappy stuff, Foster loses the ball as he looks for the try, it's oddly deemed a strip and Terepo is there to dive on it.

Shenanigans from Tonga as Moimoi lines up the conversion, Kite runs past and pinches it from him but his kick is wide.

Heartbreak for Italy but ecstasy for Scotland who go through on this result. Moimoi is Man of the Match, well deserved, he's been strong tonight Fui.

16-nil the final score.


http://www.nrl.com/by-the-clock-tonga-v-italy/tabid/10874/newsid/75348/default.aspx


- - - Updated - - -

Tonga v Italy player ratings

By Chris Kennedy
NRL.com
11:20am Mon 11th November, 2013

35114_20_1.jpg

Brent Kite's Tongan side finished their World Cup campaign on a high with a win over Italy.


Every player rated from Tonga's 16-0 win over Italy.


TONGA


1. Nesiasi Mataitonga: Had a good, error-free night at the back filling in for Glen Fisiiahi. 7

2. Daniel Tupou: His height and athleticism made him a real handful for Italy. Always threatening. 7

3. Konrad Hurrell: Some pumping runs in attack and even more pleasingly some great moments and bruising hits in defence. No longer a one-trick pony. 7.5

4. Mahe Fonua: A match-high eight tackle breaks underscored the headaches he caused the Azzurri defence. 7

5. Jorge Taufua: Not his most dominant performance but still kept himself busy. 6.5

6. Samisoni Langi: Not the only playmaker in the game to suffer last-tackle indecisiveness but he did create a few genuine chances in attack. 6.5

7. Daniel Foster: The most dangerous of the four halves on the field, he had a big say in the outcome of the match despite a few errors. 7

8. Brent Kite: Didn’t quite put his stamp on the match but got through plenty of defence. 7

9. Pat Politoni: Injured a shoulder in the opening minutes and was forced from the field. No score

10. Fuifui Moimoi: His explosive runs produced some spectacular collisions and camped Tonga on the front foot, particularly at the beginning of each half. 9

11. Ukuma Ta'ai: Struggled to involve himself heavily; a fairly quiet performance. 6

12. Willie Manu: Some powerful runs from the experienced back rower, producing eight tackle breaks, two line breaks and three offloads. The second best forward on the park. 8.5

13. Mickey Paea: Very busy all night with a game-high 41 tackles to go with 114 metres. 8

14. Nafe Seluini: Got through far more work than he would have planned following Politoni’s injury, his composure was crucial to Tonga grinding out a win. 7.5

15. Siosaia Vave: Underused off the bench, the Storm forward went ok in limited minutes. 5.5

16. Peni Terepo: Had some great moments once he finally got on the field in the second half, saving one try and scoring another. 7

17. Siuatonga Likiliki: Another who received limited minutes, with just three runs but two errors. 4.5


ITALY


1. Anthony Minichiello: A curious game from the skipper. Made some good runs but contributed to some befuddled last-play footy and produced a couple of errors. Looked frustrated. 5

2. Josh Mantellato: The ball never really came his way and he didn’t go looking for it. 5

3. James Tedesco: Some searching runs, his pace showed up Tonga once or twice and was unlucky not to score in the second half. 7

4. Aidan Guerra: Probably his quietest game of the tournament. He still looked dangerous when given a chance to run and was the only man all night to put Moimoi down and remain standing. 7

5. Chris Centrone: Flirted too close to the touch line on several occasions. 5.5

6. Ben Falcone: Had terrible problems knowing what to do on the last play and got caught too many times while still holding the ball. 4.5

7. Ryan Ghetti: Also contributed to Italy’s lack of polish at the end of sets, particularly when in attacking position. 5

8. Anthony Laffranchi: Had less impact than in Italy’s previous two games, he still produced plenty of tackles and metres. 6.5

9. Dean Parata: Contributed to Italy’s handling woes when on the attack. 6

10. Paul Vaughan: The best of the Azzurri with some huge runs, he had a great running battle with Moimoi and a sensational offload should have earned Italy a try. 8.5

11. Mark Minichiello: Great all-round game from the Titans back rower, they needed more efforts like this. 8

12. Cameron Ciraldo: Came off second best when hit by Hurrell. Had a mixed game with some promising runs, and unlucky to have three errors to his name as he often received the ball under big pressure from Tonga. 6.5

13. Joel Riethmuller: Dropped the ball to defuse Italy’s first attacking chance and really set the tone for the night, he also missed four tackles. 5

14. Kade Snowden: Limited impact off the bench in limited minutes, he still managed to concede two penalties. 4.5

15. Ryan Tramonte: Barely sighted off the bench. 4.5

16. Brenden Santi: Threw himself into his work but wasn’t able to make much of an impact. 5.5

17. Raymond Nasso: Italy looked more dangerous when he replaced Parata and injected plenty of spark. Unfortunately Italy weren’t able to convert those opportunities. 7


http://www.nrl.com/tonga-v-italy-player-ratings/tabid/10874/newsid/75349/default.aspx
 
Last edited:
Tonga finally showing why they had so much expectation placed upon them before the tournament. No warm up game looks to have been very costly in the end. Italy never really threatening in the end.
 
It was a pretty crap match in the end, the error count was just ridiculous and while both teams were somewhat entertaining going back and forth, they never really showed anything in attack. Although Tonga's defence was really good at times. I thought Minichiello was about to headbutt the ref for the "double movement" try lol and I thought the last try shouldn't have been given but it made no difference. I was going for Italy, they've got alot of good players that I like but well done Scotland for making the finals.
 
Well at least we can relax and know that Snowden is going to be able to play round one next year and has plenty of time to get over this minor injury.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top