Full Match – Canada vs Tonga 2003

Canada and Tonga met in a fierce match in RWC 2003. Played in Wollongong, Australia the North Americans saw-off the Pacific Islanders to end their campaign on a high.

Canada were led by Al Charron. The then 37-year-old was appearing in his final test match. His match did not end really as he was stretchered off following a high tackle from Pierre Hola. Without question the no arms tackle would have been a red card by RWC 2019 standards.

The Canadians were the better team on the day. This was true both in terms of points scored and in their defensive arrangement. The commitment was also impressive, giving Canada plenty in their arsenal to win by a comfortable margin.

 

Attendance: 15,630

 

TEAMS

CANADA
1 Rod Snow, 2 Mark Lawson, 3 Garth Cooke, 4 Al Charron (capt.), 5 Mike James, 6 Jamie Cudmore, 7 Adam van Staveren, 8 Josh Jackson, 9 Morgan Williams, 10 Bobby Ross, 11 Winston Stanley, 12 Marco di Girolomo, 13 Nik Witkowski, 14 Sean Fauth, 15 Quentin Fyffe

Replacements: 16 Aaron Abrams, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Colin Yukes, 19 Jeff Reid, 20 Ed Fairhurst, 21 Ryan Smith, 22 James Pritchard

TONGA
1 Tonga Lea’aetoa, 2 Ephraim Taukafa, 3 Hemani Lavaka, 4 Milton Ngauamo, 5 Inoke Afeaki (capt.), 6 Nisifolo Naufahu, 7 Johnny Tu’amoheloa, 8 Benhur Kivalu, 9 Sililo Martens, 10 Pierre Hola, 11 Sione Fonua, 12 John Payne, 13 Johnny Ngauamo, 14 Pila Fifita. 15 Gus Leger

Replacements: 16 Vili Ma’asi, 17 Kafalosi Tonga, 18 Saia Latu, 19 Ipolito Fenukitau, 20 David Palu, 21 Suka Hufanga, 22 Viliami Vaki

SCORING

CANADA (24)
Try: Fauth, Abrams
Conversion: Pritchard
Penalty: Ross (4)

TONGA (7)
Try: Afeaki
Conversion: Hola
Yellow Card: Palu