Action from the England vs Tonga match [Source: World Rugby]
England took out a bonus point victory in their first pool match of the Rugby World Cup after beating Tonga 35-3.
Tonga managed to hold the England onslaught until the first 23 minutes as the teams were level at 3-all.
England hit the front after 10 minutes when Owen Farrell slotted a penalty for offside.
Four minutes later, Sonatane Takulua levelled the scores with a kick from a far more difficult position.
Captain Siale Piutau reflects on the last 80 mins.
Some missed opportunities, but he’s “proud of the way the boys came back.” #RWC2019 #ENGvTGA #RWCSapporo pic.twitter.com/Qmp5Mrq9Hk
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019
It was the player of the match, Manu Tuilagi who struck twice in quick succession to break some resolute defending by Ikale Tahi.
Two tries helped @englandrugby star @Manutuilagi to the @Mastercard Player of the Match for #ENGvTGA #StartSomethingPriceless #POTM #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/8XhRtILspo
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019
Tuilagi scored two tries in seven minutes under the roof in Sapporo.
But they had to wait until four minutes from time to secure a bonus point through Luke Cowan-Dickie.
80 minutes down, a bonus point win and 4 tries ✅@EnglandRugby Captain Owen Farrell ? “What a way to get started”#RWC2019 #ENGvTGA #RWCSapporo pic.twitter.com/uVM4ZRNyqn
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019
England led 18-3 at the break.
The first 15 minutes of the second half were notable for another Farrell penalty, but little else besides several more fumbles.
.@EnglandRugby and @officialTongaRU players come together to share a moment after a tough 80 minutes of rugby #ENGvTGA#RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/fAvcZEtlnM
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019
England’s Jamie Joseph broke through the tiring Tongan ranks and Cowan-Dickie gleefully bagged the all-important fourth try for a bonus-point win.
A touching moment between Nasi Manu and his family after his first match at #RWC2019. Incredible the adversity he has overcome and great to see him out on the pitch for #ENGvTGA pic.twitter.com/BmarWJcJgX
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019
#ENGvTGA #RWC2019 #RWCSapporo pic.twitter.com/GK8ER2mvrX
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019
Click Here for more on Rugby World Cup