The path does not get any easier for the Tongans with matches against Scotland and South Africa.
NANTES: Coach Toutai Kefu admitted his Tonga side had been totally outclassed by top-ranked Ireland in their World Cup opener on Saturday but hoped they could land a few more punches in Pool B.
“Honestly, too good for us. Very clinical, that’s why they’re the best team in the world,” said Kefu, a World Cup winner with the Wallabies in 1999.Tonga skipper Ben Tameifuna said the fact Ireland had already played a World Cup match while the Pacific islanders were kicking their heels in their Paris training camp might have been a factor.
Tonga looked competitive for large periods of the game and were in touch on the scoreboard until Ireland scored three tries in 11 minutes before halftime.