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The opening of the Rugby League World Cup did not disappoint as Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh, in particular, put on a show. But every rugby league fan will have seen plenty of that by now. So, here, I’m looking at what Tuimoala Lolohea can bring at halfback for Tonga, how wrong I was about England’s style of play in this World Cup, checking in on the new demigod, and completing the power rankings for Round 2.
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Tui Lolohea Is In
While I’ve not seen a lot of Tuimolala Lolohea this year, I’ve seen enough throughout this 294 first glass games1 to know what he is as a player.
I don’t imagine LoinersView saw the talent on display when Lolohea rolled one in for his centre to score over the weekend.
The detail and execution is world class and sets Tonga up well should he carry this through for the remainder of the Rugby League World Cup with Latu Fainu again sidelined.
First of all, he’s seen the numbers advantage down the short side. AJ Brimson has plugged himself on the open side and left it 3 v 3 down the shortside. Perhaps it’s by design; that’s something to keep an eye on from the England defence this week. But with the numbers, Lolohea’s craft creates the space.
Check Hugo Savala’s feet and the angle he brings Kai Pearce-Paul up off the line.
He skips across the backrower to force him up. In getting across just enough while throwing a dummy pass to add a little more uncertainty, he sits Savala in his seat. Savala is more concerned about the pass to Tolutau Koula than he is the kick, and doesn’t have his feet in a position to trap the ball.
The kick is pin-point, but Lolohea has created enough space behind Pearce-Paul and inside Savala to sit one up for Koula to score.
With Latu Fainu out with another injury and Isaiya Katoa set to miss Tonga’s match against Lebanon, it’s Tui’s time once again. While he might not be the halfback to win them a Rugby League World Cup, he is one of Tonga’s greats and can get them through to the pointy end of tournament while Katoa nurses his ankle.
ICYMI: I like this Lebanon back-five. Tonga’s scramble defence is well-placed to keep them under control, but there is potential for points in this one.
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England’s Style
Me before Round 1 of the Rugby League World Cup:
“Jake Connor is a great player. He’s big and strong, but a fairly high-risk player. He plays with confidence and produces moments of brilliance, but they come at a cost. His omission, in particular, suggests a low-risk style.”
England managed a whopping 27 offloads and generated seven line breaks throughout the match, but it came at the cost of 17 errors.
