Dubbed the match of the group stage, Tonga 24-18 Papua New Guinea certainly lived up to the billing in St Helens. Tonga, managed by St Helens' most successful coach Kristian Woolf, scored the most dramatic winner with just three minutes to go after a chaotic nine-pass move undid the brave PNG defence.
It marked the end of a truly fascinating game that saw PNG take an early lead before falling 18-6 behind, before staging a remarkable second half comeback. However, ultimately, Kumul's efforts ended in a heartbreaking defeat. It was a try of biblical proportions, and a fitting way to decide this thrilling encounter.
There were no set patterns of play as the Tongans edged desperately towards the try line on their last tackle. Instead of going for the four points, they were simply trying to set up a drop goal late in the match. But as they tried to steady themselves, PNG kept biting back as they had done throughout the second half.
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But in doing so, Tonga were forced to keep passing the ball to anybody that was available. After a series of panicked passes that led BBC commentator Andrew Voss to joke that there were 73 passes in total, captain Siosiua Taukeiaho tried a hopeful grubber kick towards the posts and Keaon Koloamatangi was there to win this absolute thriller.
It was so harsh on PNG, who were 10/1 to win this match ahead of kick off and came so close to pulling it off. Nobody has talked about them as genuine contenders this time around, even though they were quarter-finalists in 2017. They’ll certainly be talking now.
At the home of the Super League champions, they put in a monstrous display in the game of the tournament so far. PNG started strong and went in front after five minutes as Leeds Rhinos captain Rhyse Martin broke through two tackles to get over the line before converting to stick his side 6-0 up. The only nation in the world where rugby league is the national sport joined the World Cup party and only a hand of Isaiya Katoa stopped them doubling their lead.
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Voss’ iconic TripAdvisor review was then interrupted by Tonga’s comeback. They replied in style as, after just one year in the NRL, Will Penisini crossed unchallenged after a lung-busting run in their first venture forward and they had levelled the scores.
Dan Russell then thought he had put PNG back in front after a wonderful move, but he made a crucial error as he put his foot on the touchline when mere inches away from the try line. After a video review, it was ruled out.
That felt like the moment the game turned. Having got away with one, Tonga then went on a rampage over a matter of minutes. Moeaki Fotuaika was the man to add the finishing touch as Woolf’s side caught PNG all out of shape, a situation they never managed to recover from.
Isayia Katoa then finished off a wonderful run as in the space of two minutes, Tonga - the fourth favourites to win the World Cup - scored twice and this time, it was the 18-year-old that put his name in lights at the World Cup, in front of his own fans.
Woolf will have been pleased to get in at half-time with the score 18-6 after such a sluggish start, but the second half will give him nightmares. PNG came out of the blocks rapidly and his side simply couldn’t deal with them.
Leigh Centurions duo Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam combined as Ipape burst past four Tongan players before playing the simplest of passes to Lam , who crossed to put PNG right back in the game. His dad, who coached and played for Papua New Guinea will have been watching on with pride as his son became a World Cup try scorer.
Papua New Guinea were then at the centre of a controversial try decision as Tolutau Koula tackled Rodrick Tai on the line and pushed him into the corner post. After several replays, it looked as if Tai had got the ball down, but the referee adjudged that the ball had made contact with the post, and ruled it out.
It was a score that would have brought the underdogs level. But they kept on fighting. A last ditch tackle prevented a Tongan try and then after a scrum, Russell finally got his try. It was a quick move that freed the winger and he made no mistake this time to give us a grandstand finish. Rhyse Martin had kicked 40 in a row and not missed one since 9th July and he kept his perfect record going from the touchline to make it 41 and level the scores.
Tonga were awarded a penalty and went for goal from 40 yards, but Katoa couldn’t find the legs to put his side ahead. But then, with just three minutes later they got the vital try. After 73 passes, Koloamatangi scored that match-winning try, in a World Cup game for the ages.
What a way to win it.
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