New skipper, Scott Quinnell proved an inspiration to Graham Henry’s side after the unexpected defeat to Argentina the week before wading in with a try during the six-try demolition of the islanders. Tonga put up a good fight but paid the price for an indisciplined performance which saw them receive two yellow cards and Gus Leger’s sending off.
Iestyn Harris, a week after his international debut, was switched to centre and provided Wales with the platform on which to build the match. Harris cooly slotted through two penalties amidst the early distraction of injuries to both Anthony Sullivan and Iestyn Thomas which saw the introductions of Spencer John and Rhys Williams to the field respectively.
Wales had failed to get going during the opening quarter but when Tonga spilled the ball in midfield on 17 minutes, a quick handling move from prop Darren Morris saw his overhead pass reach Gareth Thomas for an easy try which Harris converted to put clear daylight between Wales and their visitors.
The joy, however, was short-lived as Tonga came back with a try almost immediately, upping the pressure and turning the screw on Wales. A scrappy line-out was won by the visitors and captain Inoke Afaeki charged through several missed tackles to crash over the line. The conversion put Tonga back within seven points.
As Wales failed to get going from the restart and their strong periods of possession failed to reap any rewards, Iestyn Harris pushed over two more penalties to give Wales a 19-7 half time lead.
The second half couldn’t have started better for the home side as fisrt fly-half Hola and then the skipper were sent to the sin-bin for delaying possession at the bottom of rucks, but in spite of this the best Wales could muster was a fifth Harris penalty against thirteen men.
On the stroke of 57 minutes the try that let the floodgates open arrived as Wales’s pack set up a move that culminated in Andy Moore providing Rob Howley with an easy scoring opportunity. Alan Bateman then left the field with a hamstring injury which saw the introduction of Jamie Robinson to the field.
Stephen Jones nearly scored Wales’s third try but it was ruled out by the Television Match Official who awarded an attacking five metre scrum which failed to produce any rewards, however, Wales did not have to wait long for their third.
Kevin Morgan produced a long kick which gave the Tongan’s a line-out under pressure. Charvis stole the ball from the disrupted line-out and when he could drive no further a quick pass to Scott Quinnell saw the skipper crash over, with Harris on hand to produce yet another conversion. At 34-7, Wales were ready to entertain the crowd.
If Harris’s international union debut had been less than convincing against Argentina he began to let himself loos on the Tongans and with several quick breaks of his making Wales’s play began to spread around the field. Tonga’s answer was to smash Wales in return and mighty tackles on Quinnell and Gareth Thomas took their toll on the home side. As the physicality grew, so yet again did Tonga’s indiscipline and once Gus Leger had used his boot in a ruck, Stuart Dickinson was left with no choice but to show him the red card.
Robinson leapt into action almost immediately and sped over for an unconverted try. Taunaholo Taufahema could only watch in awe as the Cardiff flyer’s pace took him past the Tongan. It was a bad day for the islander as Rhys Williams produced an almost identical move some minutes later on the opposite side of the field to leave him realing again. Harris converted this time round.
Barry Williams who replaced Robin McBryde as hooker wrapped up the spoils with the last try of the match and Harris showed his class with a conversion from the very far touchline of the field.
