Tonga Qualifies for Rugby League World Cup 2017 ^Featured

The Kukis opened the scoring early with Melbourne Storm NYC graduate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad crossing the line three minutes into the game. The conversion was missed.

The Cook Islands didn’t stay in the lead for long with Manly Sea Eagles star Jorge Taufua scoring just ten minutes later to put the Tongans in front after Warriors centre Solomone Kata converted the try.

Kukis veteran and Wigan Warriors utility back Anthony Gelling was able to put the Cook Islanders in front by two points. The conversion was again missed.

Mahe Fonua put the Tongans back in front after the Hull FC-bound centre scored six minutes before the siren and Solomone Kata converted.

Tonga went into the half-time break with a 12-8 lead.

Wests Tigers winger Delouise Hoeter was denied an early second half try by Gerard Sutton after flying over the corner-post that could have been a possibility had there been a video referee system in play.

After an impressive effort from the Cook Islands, Tonga finally managed to break a twenty minute deadlock with Kata scoring having just five minutes before injured his leg. His conversion attempt just waved right of the post.

Kata scored again just five minutes later after bouncing over the line and burying the Cook Islands’ dreams. Kata converted to put his country of birth in front by two converted tries.

Eels prop Peni Terepo raced away to score next to the posts to confirm Tonga’s spot in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup with five minutes remaining. Kata converted the try.

Although losing, a bright future is in store for Cook Islands rugby league after they put in an impressive performance with fringe first-graders Esan Marsters and Francis Molo both standouts.

Tonga 28 (Tries: S.Kata 2, J.Taufua, M.Fonua, P.Terepo; Goals: S.Kata 4/5) defeated
Cook Islands 8 (Tries: C.Nicoll-Klokstad, A.Gelling)

Tonga join Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Scotland in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

Source: Roar