England celebrate against Tonga

England 35-3 Tonga: Rugby World Cup match report, highlights and scorers

By Press Association

Rugby Union

Sun September 22, 2019 · 5y ago

England launched their World Cup campaign with a 35-3 victory over Tonga but the statement performance sought by Eddie Jones failed to materialise.

England 35-3 Tonga

England tryscorers: Tuilagi (2), George, Cowan-Dickie
England conversions: Farrell (3)
England penalties: Farrell (3)

Tonga penalties: Takulua

Match highlights

England v Tonga (35-3) | Rugby World Cup 2019 Highlights

Match report

Manu Tuilagi powered England to a winning start as their World Cup was launched with a 35-3 victory over Tonga but the statement performance sought by Eddie Jones failed to materialise.

Tuilagi plundered two first-half tries at the Sapporo Dome after repeatedly forcing a path through the Islanders' defence to emerge as the otherwise ragged 2003 champions' most potent threat.

The Lions powerhouse has been used sparingly by Jones, whose only focus has been making sure he is at his most effective in time for Japan following years of injury-induced misery and in the northern island of Hokkaido he was magnificent.

But around him England struggled to subdue spoiling and tactically astute opponents who recently leaked almost 100 points to New Zealand, albeit in a warm-up match with nothing at stake.

It took until the 77th minute to secure the bonus point as Jonathan Joseph wriggled into space and sent Luke Cowan-Dickie sliding over, but it was the only highlight of a disjointed final quarter.

The match ended with Tonga pouring forward in search of a deserved try and they will be emboldened by their success in frustrating England's strongest available side.

Henry Slade made his comeback from a knee injury but he needed treatment after going down and was later involved in an exchange of views with Elliot Daly over a botched chance.

Slade came on for Jonny May, who departed with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

From the start England's pack were met with a wall of red shirts but out wide they created openings with ease as Sam Underhill and Tuilagi roamed into space.

In a rare sight, Billy Vunipola was sent hurtling backwards by openside Zane Kapeli and the Tonga bench celebrated the tackle with pumping fists, but Tuilagi later evened the score by flattening Sonatane Takulua.

Owen Farrell, who ended the game kicking 15 points, and Kurt Morath exchanged penalties and as the first quarter came to an end, England were struggling to generate momentum against opponents who were playing a smart gameplan.

Underhill appeared to have rolled over the whitewash after Tuilagi had rampaged behind enemy lines only for Siale Piutau to squeeze beneath the ball, but a try was imminent and it arrived from its most likely source.

A scrum 20 metres out gave Tuilagi the platform to attack and the Leicester wrecking ball barged his way over with the TMO this time awarding the try.

England's bizarre attempt at dealing with the ensuing restart incurred the wrath of Jones, who slammed his desk twice in frustration.

Any anger subsided quickly, however, as Courtney Lawes stepped his way through heavy traffic to start an attack that accelerated through the gas of Daly and May and ended with Tuilagi strolling in for his second.

Having entered half-time 18-3 ahead, England began to lose their way and the scrappy flow to the game played into Tonga's hands.

Even Tuilagi dropped the ball as he was launched once again, but the lack of impetus was in part due to the vast number of changes made by Jones, including the arrival of Slade at full-back.

A driving line-out bolstered by arriving backs arrowed over the whitewash in the 58th minute with Jamie George touching down and when play resumed Jones had used his entire bench except Joseph.

On came Joseph and with him the bonus point as he created the opening for Cowan-Dickie to touch down under the posts.

Match reaction:

Eddie Jones admitted England needed "Fergie time" to ensure their World Cup title quest began with a bonus-point victory over Tonga.

It took until the 77th minute to deliver the fourth try through Luke Cowan-Dickie that sealed a 35-3 win at the Sapporo Dome, but a laboured performance left plenty of areas for improvement.

Sir Alex Ferguson visited the squad in Bristol during the summer and Jones referred to the former Manchester United manager's ability to inspire late goals from his players to illustrate England's ability to claim the prize they sought.

"During the lead-up to the World Cup we had a number of coaches and specialists in. One person we were lucky enough to have in was Sir Alex Ferguson," Jones said.

"One of the things his teams were renowned for was... what do they call it? Fergie time. Fergie time!

"And the message was be patient and that's what I enjoyed about our team - there was no sign of panic and they kept on playing good rugby and the try came.

"It might have been easier if it had come a little bit earlier, but it came and that's a good sign."

Eddie Jones is all smiles after the win over Tonga

Jones put a positive spin on England's struggle to dispatch opponents ranked 15th in the world and who operate on a fraction of the resources, leading to their top stars being lured away by richer nations and European clubs.

Had it not been for their centre of Samoan heritage Manu Tuilagi, who crossed twice, they might have been in trouble.

"We're really pleased. We came here to get five points and we got five points. We've got no injuries and we know we can play better," Jones said.

"Sometimes rugby is like that and the ball just doesn't stick. We left a number of points out there. But I'm so pleased with the attitude of the players.

"That's two Tests in a row that we haven't conceded a try. We know we can be better and that's the goal for the USA game (on Thursday).

"The stadium was unbelievable. What a great thing for rugby. We're up in Hokkaido, closer to Russia that you probably want to be.

"You have Tonga, a country of 100,000 people battling their heart out, playing tough."

Tuilagi indicated that he will be England's greatest asset at this World Cup with a powerful display that scattered Tongan tacklers time and again, putting more distance between himself and years of injury hell.

"Manu's increasingly getting close to his best. He's training well and is in great physical nick. He enjoys being around the boys," Jones said.

"The boys love playing with him and for a Samoan to play against Tongan it's a pretty special occasion. Manu will only get better as the tournament goes on."

Tonga captain Siale Piutau started opposite Tuilagi and acknowledged that his strength was too much to handle.

"Manu was instrumental for them. We knew they'd go to him for their go forward and he did that," Piutau said.

"We tried to contain him but when you have someone of Manu's talent that gives you gainline, it helps get your forwards into the game."

England captain Owen Farrell thanks his two-try hero

Player ratings

A look at how the England players rated in the 35-3 win over Tonga

ELLIOT DALY: Showed flashes of his vision on the counter. A gifted attacker from full-back who needed more ball. 7/10

ANTHONY WATSON: A star of the warm-up series but was given little opportunity to shine in a muted atmosphere in Sapporo. 6

MANU TUILAGI: In a game where England lacked threats, Tuilagi's power and appetite for work were welcome. 8

OWEN FARRELL: The dual playmaker is back in favour with Eddie Jones but Farrell failed to shine against tricky opponents. 6

GEORGE FORD: A scrappy, disjointed game hampered Ford's attempts to steer England with the same authority seen last month. 6

BEN YOUNGS: Tonga were a handful at the breakdown and Youngs was harried at every turn. 6

JOE MARLER: Threw himself into tackles and was a force in the tight. England's scrum wilted when he went off. 7

JAMIE GEORGE: At the bottom of an unstoppable driving line-out and was at the heart of England's forward effort. 6

KYLE SINCKLER: Will not be pleased with his penalty count but will surely be stronger having made his World Cup debut. 6

COURTNEY LAWES: Picked to be physical and provide experience and can hold his head high. 6

MARO ITOJE: A constant threat at the breakdown and his line-out work was inch perfect. A shining light. 7

TOM CURRY: One of his quietest games for England. Just not as visible as usual despite his effort. 6

SAM UNDERHILL: The pick of England's back row and nearly scored through strength and persistence. 7

BILLY VUNIPOLA: Rare sight of him being smashed backwards in the tackle is a collector's item. Never stopped running. 7

Replacements: Eddie Jones emptied the bench and it was replacements Jonathan Joseph and Luke Cowan-Dickie who combined for the bonus-point try. Henry Slade made a welcome comeback from a knee injury. 6