Captain Jason Taumalolo’s thunderous return and four tries for Will Penisini propelled Tonga into the quarter-finals after a record-breaking 92-10 victory over Cook Islands.
Taumalolo had to wait to make his impact after missing the first two matches through suspension, but he announced his arrival in style with two of his side’s 16 tries as Tonga recorded their highest points tally ever, eclipsing the 66-18 defeat of South Africa in the 2000 World Cup.
Teenage half-back Isaiya Katoa bagged a 30-point haul as a hat-trick for Tesi Niu plus doubles for Daniel Tupou and Tui Lolohea helped Kristian Woolf’s side hit their stride in Middlesbrough.
Tonga secured the top spot in Group D and will face Samoa who thrashed France 62-4.
In other results, Lebanon beat Jamaica 74-12.
[Source: RLWC.com]
