We value your privacy

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.

With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation. You may click to consent to our and our partners’ processing as described above. Please note that some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

More Options

Mon 10 Jun 2013 | 04:54
Canada beat 14-man Tonga in eventful Pacific Nations Cup clash

3
Comments

A red card and two yellows didn't help Tonga's cause as Canada beat them 36-27 in Kingston in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday. James Pritchard scored a try and 18 points with the boot as Tonga's ill-discipline cost them.

Tonga scored three late tries to improve the look of the overall scoreline, but it was Canada that impressed as they took the Tongan physicality on the chin, and remain unbeaten in the tournament.

Tongan prop Eddie Aholelei was red carded for throwing a punch after a brawl had stopped, and two other players were yellow carded for shoulders or high tackles.

"Our discipline let us down today, we can’t afford to have men sent off and sin-binned; that's an area we’ve got to work on," said Tonga captain Nili Latu.

"We wanted this game so much and showed a lot of fight. There is a lot of belief and we still have two games left to play."

Canada can claim the Pacific Nations Cup title if they beat Japan on June 19th, four days after they play the touring Irish side in Toronto.

Posted By: Grant Constable

3 Comments

  • browner
    8:02 PM 15/06/2013

    That's outrageous........ admitting you're scottish without provocation !

  • browner
    8:00 PM 15/06/2013

    Aholelei - what a cowardly cheap shot

    I was actually wishing the Tongans to win...... only to send the Sweaty Socks down the rankings .... xx

  • 4:01 AM 11/06/2013

    Maybe I'm biased, being Canadian and all, but I really do think that there are several players in the Canada squad that would be world-class in their positions if we had a professional league or something to develop them to the same standard as in say SA, England, France, etc. I'm thinking Moonlight, Dala, Hirayama, Buydens, and Hearn to name but a few. We can only achieve so much with the status quo, what with limited opportunities to teach the game at young ages, and an apparent focus on getting players professional experience over in Europe. European leagues can only absorb a limited amount of our players, and besides that makes for headaches setting up a squad.

    But who knows, maybe success in this tournament is the first steps towards setting up some kind of professional circuit here.

Related Articles