Tonga star’s World Cup starts with injury blow from Tigers teammate
Tonga’s World Cup bid started horribly at HBF Park with Latu Fainu leaving the field 16 minutes into his side’s clash with England.
Fainu’s injury was deemed a suspected pectoral strain after his left arm was caught awkwardly in a tackle from Tigers teammate Kai Pearce-Paul. There was no foul play in the tackle.
Kai Pearce-Paul’s tackle on Latu Fainu. Seven
Tonga would’ve been grateful for the six-man bench after Fainu’s injury, with Tuimoala Lolohea coming straight on.
Both sides started the match in Perth on Saturday struggling to show any composure, with errors going both ways.
Tonga finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Isaiya Katoa put Stefano Utoikmanu through a gaping hole. The lead extended by two points three minutes later when Katoa hit a penalty goal.
Right on half-time, another two points were added by Katoa to make it 10-0 at the break.
After the break ended, Fainu was spotted sitting on a bike watching on after he’d been ruled out for the match. Tonga claimed the injury isn’t too bad and his absence was just precautionary.
If Fainu’s injury is just a strain it wouldn’t be considered as serious as Isaah Yeo’s pectoral rupture towards the end of the NRL season.
Yeo sat out for several weeks before finals and then commenced an aggressive rehabilitation program to get himself back in time. He will likely require surgery after the World Cup.
The availability of Fainu could test Tonga’s depth in the halves though with Talatau Amone the next option after Lolohea. Amone currently plays in Queensland Cup with Wynnum-Manly Sea Eagles after he was sacked by the Dragons for an off-field conviction.
Tonga went on to win the game 30-12 with Isaiya Katoa contributing two try assists in a world class showing. Haumole Olakau’atu finished the match with two tries.
Earlier in Saturday’s World Cup action, PNG defeated Lebanon 42-18 in Port Moresby. In the women’s tournament, PNG won 58-4 against France before England smashed Wales 70-6.
