Samoa was just as sharp after the break, as scrumhalf Anthony Milford marked his return from suspension with two tries in the final quarter, and center Tim Lafai demonstrated his exceptional strength to grab his second try.
Tonga’s 16-try romp featured four tries from Will Penisini, a hat trick for wing Tesi Niu, and 14 conversions from halfback Isaiya Katoa, who also touched down to complete a personal haul of 32 points. They swept Group D.
“That was a lot more like us and certainly showed the class and ability we have got,” Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said. “I am comfortable with where we sit and think we have more left in us as well.”
It was a dismal collapse from Tony Iro’s Cook Islands, which acquitted itself well in its opening two Group D fixtures against Wales and Papua New Guinea but soon appeared to lose its appetite amid a distinctly un-tropical climate at Riverside Stadium.
Tonga crossed within 90 seconds of the start through Katoa, but the Cook Islands at least hinted at a feisty challenge on 10 minutes when Steve Marsters burst half the length of the pitch only to see his try ruled out for a knock-on.
Three minutes later, Tonga captain Jason Taumalolo, making his first appearance in the tournament after suspension, barged unchallenged through the underdog’s rearguard and set the tone for a remarkably one-sided first period which ended with them up 52-0.
Marsters earned a rousing reception when he crossed for the Cook Islands’ first points with the result long gone, and Tinirau Arona scored and converted a second opportunity for the visitors on the fulltime hooter to at least give their side double digits and something to savor as they prepare to return home.
