Captain Sonatane Takulua bags a hat-trick as Tonga qualify for Rugby World Cup – صحيفة الصوت

Tonga captain Sonatane Takulua was playing down his hat-trick of tries after leading the ‘Ikale Tahi to an eighth consecutive Rugby World Cup.

The 31-year-old Toulon halfback dotted down three times in a 44-22 win over Hong Kong in the Asia-Pacific playoff at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

“I am lucky enough to get these three tries, but it wasn’t just me, it was a great effort from all the boys, and it is a big relief to get the win,” Takulua said.

The ‘Ikale Tahi will face Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and Romania in Pool B at Rugby World Cup 2023, while Hong Kong will compete for the final qualifying spot in November against Portugal, Kenya, and the United States.

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Watched by a supportive bunch of Tongan fans in Kawana Waters, Tonga had two tries disallowed in the opening four minutes.

Takulua later praised the backing, saying: “Tongan supporters are always behind us wherever we go in the world and to get support like this behind us tonight was a big push for us.’’

Hong Kong were under severe pressure, conceding five penalties in the first 10 minutes before Tongan flyhalf William Havili finally punished them in the 11th minute, with a penalty goal.

It took only minutes for Tonga to extend their lead with Takulua sniping at the ruck to score the match’s first try.

Hong Kong managed to get their hands on the ball and scored a try with their very first visit inside the Tongan 22 when some slick passing put hooker Alex Post in at the corner.

Takulua continued to drive the ʻIkale Tahi forward and scored his second try in identical fashion to the first, but not before the TMO had his say again, but this time siding with the Tongans.

Hong Kong replied almost immediately, after a superb run from full-back Nate de Thierry and Tom Hill resulted in Tongan hooker Siua Maile illegally slowing the ball down. He was sent to the bin, allowing Gregor McNeish to kick the penalty and reduce the deficit to nine.

Despite being a man down, Tonga were the only team to score in the last 10 minutes with Havili kicking a second penalty to give Tonga a 20-8 lead going into the interval.

Tonga got the second half off to a perfect start with tries to Takulua and Siegfried Fisi’ihoi in the opening 10 minutes.

Tonga’s scrum dominance continued, securing multiple penalties in the opposing 22, with winger Telusa Veainu finishing off a set-piece before fellow winger, Anzelo Tuitavuki scored his own try after a 65-metre line break down the wing.

Leading 44-8 with five minutes to go, nothing was working for Hong Kong, until the ball accidentally hit referee Damon Murphy, allowing McNeish to take the free kick and send it crossfield to Matt Worley who gathered it for the score.

Worley was on the end of another suburb kick, bolting downfield to collect Bryn Philips’ 70-metre punt to score on full-time, with McNeish converting to end the match 44-22.

Tonga 44 (Sonatane Takalua 3, Siegried Fisi’ihoi, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Telusa Veainu tries; William Havili 4 con, 2 pen) Hong Kong 22 (Matt Worley 2, Alex Post tries; Gregor McNeish 2 con, pen). HT: 20-8.