On paper it was the most eagerly anticipated game of the tournament so far as Tonga faced Papua New Guinea in a Group D game, the group of death, in what had been billed as the roughest and toughest encounter of the World Cup so far.

Tonga were big favourites with the bookies having been given a twenty-four point start on the handicap coupon and the side currently ranked second in the world knew that they needed a good start to their campaign against the side ranked fifth.

Both sides were hopeful of progressing from a group which also contains the Cook Islands and Wales and knew that a win tonight would put them well on their way to the knock-out stages. Kristian Woolf could draw on a host of NRL and Super League stars for Tonga, while Stanley Tepend had Leeds Rhinos star Rhyse Martin as his skipper for Papua New Guinea alongside many other familiar names.

It was a bright start from PNG and they opened the scoring on five minutes through Rhyse Martin as he hit a short ball and crashed over the line from close. The Kumuls skipper added the conversion for a shock lead and a sensational start.

Edwin Ipape went close on eleven but spilled the ball on the line as PNG could have extended the lead.

Tonga opened their account after a brilliant run from Tolutau Koula, weaving across the field while making good yards forward, saw him pass out to an unmarked Will Penisini to walk in under the sticks. Isaiya Katoa hit the conversion through the uprights to level the scores.

Koula lost the ball on the line on eighteen after a fierce tackle as the game lived up to all pre match expectations with its open and flowing nature.

A foot in touch from winger Dan Russell cost PNG a second try when he went in unopposed down the left wing, a costly mistake in the final reckoning.

Tonga hit the front on thirty-four after a great run from Tui Lolohea weaved towards the PNG line and Mo Fotuaika was on hand to take the pass ten out and score under the posts. Katoa added the conversion for 12-6.

Within two minutes of the restart, Isaiya Katoa scored a four-pointer himself after a fabulous run from Moses Suli, before going in from twenty metres as the PNG defenders struggled to get back and cover. The youngster added the conversion himself for 18-6, a dagger blow for the Kumuls as the half time hooter sounded.

Inside the first minute of the second half Ipape stepped out of a three-man tackle and evaded another defender before passing inside to Lachlan Lam for a tremendous try. Martin added the conversion to reduce the arrears to six points.

An incredible tackle by Koula prevented a third PNG try as he knocked Rodrick Tai into touch as he dived for the line. The decision went to the video referee as ´NO TRY´ and after repeated replays he agreed, much to the disgust of the neutrals in the stadium as the replays seemed to show he grounded in the field of play before going into touch.

On sixty-two David Fifita hit the ball at pace and pushed his way over the line to ground under a crowd of PNG tacklers. The video referee was consulted and once again ruled out the try.

Koula had a nightmare moment on his own line on sixty-seven as he knocked-on at the play the ball. From the resulting scrum the ball was moved wide left with Dan Russell making amends for his first half error. Martin added the extras from the touchline and the scores were all level with just over ten minutes remaining.

PNG conceded a penalty on seventy-three for a cannonball tackle and Katoa attempted to kick a forty-metre penalty but dropped the ball short of the sticks.

With three minutes remaining it was Harlem Globetrotters stuff from Tonga as they bombed the chance of a field goal but somehow kept the ball alive through a couple of dozen passes with Kaeon Koloamatangi finally taking a SioSiua Taukeiaho grubber kick on the try line and grounding. Katoa added the conversion to seal a 24-18 win for Tonga.

The game lived up to all expectations, tough, aggressive, and played under impeccable spirit from both teams. It was a joy to watch the expansive football from both sides with some never say die defence. Both sides are likely to progress but Tonga will be relieved that they came through this toughest of test with the spoils. PNG will take solace from their performance and that they came within a whisker of beating the Worlds second ranked side.

Tonga: Koula, Tupou, Penisini (T), Suli, Katoa S, Katoa I (T, 4G), Lolohea, Fonua-Blake, Koloamatangi (T), Tatola, Kaufisi, Olakau´atu, Taukeiaho. Subs: Luke, Fotuaika (T), Fifita, Talakai.

Papua New Guinea: Johnston, Tai, MacDonald, Olam, Russell (T), Laybutt, Lam (T), Albert, Ipape, Namo, Putt, Martin (T, 3G), Alick. Subs: Yei, Appo, Waine, Boas.

Half-Time: 18-6.

Full-Time: 24-18.

Score Progression: 0-4, 0-6, 4-6, 6-6, 10-6, 12-6, 16-6, 18-6 : HT : 18-10, 18-12, 18-16, 18-18, 22-18, 24-18 : FT .

Lead Exchanges: PNG – Square – Tonga – Square - Tonga.

Referee: Liam Moore.

Attendance: 10,409 at the Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens.