England wrapped up the test series against Tonga with one game to spare thanks to victory in Huddersfield on Saturday.
After a closely fought contest between the two nations in the opening test, it was do or die for Tonga at the John Smith’s Stadium.
However, Kristian Woolf’s side were left to rue their ill-discipline as England crossed for two first half tries off the back of a Tongan penalty and set restart, resulting in a 12-0 half time lead for the home nation.
England handled the treacherous conditions better in the opening 40 and ended the half with an 81% completion rate compared to Tonga’s 72%.
The Pacific Island nation had won the territory battle despite their inferior completion rate with a 59% share of territory, but were unable to capitalise on their superior field position.
The second half was scrappy and error ridden. England completed at just 66% with Tonga marginally better at 70%. Shaun Wane’s side failed to complete a set during a 10-minute period in the second half as the game fell well below international level standards.
England had more of the ball in the second half and enjoyed 54% of possession, although it was Tonga who crossed for the solitary try in the second stanza through the hard-working Tolutau Koula.
Koula had another busy afternoon for Tonga and was given freer reign to roam the field in attack. He topped the metre making charts (200), tackle bust charts (8), took more carries than any other player (22) and crossed for his second try of the test series.
Haumole Olakau'atu was promoted to the starting side in the second test and showed plenty of endeavour in the Tongan back row. He ran for 161 metres from 16 carries, made a game best 91 post contact metres and five tackle busts.
Matty Ashton made an impact on the England flank after Tommy Makinson was ruled out through injury – he crossed for a first half double and carried for 105 metres from 17 carries.
John Bateman was another stand out for England – the experienced back rower ended the day with 127 run metres from 12 carries, 53 post contact metres, three tackle busts and 36 tackles.
Elsewhere, England’s Matty Lees again topped the tackle count after making 39 tackles during a 55-minute stint on Saturday afternoon.
Tonga managed the speed of the ruck a lot better in the second test – they completed three-man tackles 54 times compared to England’s 58 and restricted England to play the ball speeds of four seconds or more 49 times.
Ultimately, it wasn’t enough to get the job done. Despite preventing England crossing the whitewash in the second half, Tonga were unable to capitalise and take their chances with ball in hand.
They now face the prospect of a series whitewash if they suffer defeat at AMT Headingley on Saturday afternoon.
The two sides will head to AMT Headingley Rugby Ground on Saturday for the final test. The test will take place at 2:30PM and is part of a double-header as England Women face Wales with kick-off at 12PM. Tickets are on sale now at eticketing.co.uk/rugbyleague from only £25 Adults and £12.50 Under 16s.
