Summary

  • Result: Wales 74-24 Tonga

  • Try blitz helps Wales regain control after Tonga fight back to level at 24-24

  • Wales scored three early tries within opening 12 minutes

  • Tonga's Fifita & Mafi reduce the deficit to 24-17 at half-time

  • Wales secure their eighth win in a row & chase Autumn clean sweep

  1. Postpublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Many of you will be familiar with the New Zealand haka, it's one of the most recognisable sights in world rugby, but the crowd at the Principality Stadium will now be treated to Tonga's Sipi Tau - just as intimidating, if you ask me...

    Tonga players perfromImage source, Reuters
  2. Postpublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Right, let's have a quick recap of today's teams...

    Wales: 15-Holmes, 14-Williams, 13-Tyler Morgan, 12-Watkin, 11-Steff Evans, 10-Biggar, 9-Williams; 1-Jones, 2-Dee, 3-Brown, 4-Ball, 5-Beard, 6-Wainwright, 7-Jenkins (captain), 8-Seb Davies

    Replacements: 16-Elias, 17-Rob Evans, 18-Francis, 19-Hill, 20-Moriarty, 21-Aled Davies, 22-Patchell, 23-Adams.

    Tonga: 15-Lilo, 14-Lolohea, 13-Taufa, 12-Piutau (capt), 11-Kilioni, 10-Morath, 9-Takulua; 1-Fisi'ihoi, 2-Ngauamo, 3-Fia, 4-Fifita, 5-Mafi, 6-Dan Faleafa, 7-Lokotui, 8-Vailanu.

    Replacements: 16-Sakalia, 17-Talakai, 18-Fa'anunu, 19-Havili, 20-Mike Faleafa, 21-Fukofuka, 22-Hala, 23-Pakalani.

  3. Statto...published at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Since losing to New Zealand last November, Wales have won six games in succession at home – the last time they won seven in a row was during a run of nine wins in 1997-99 (including a victory over Tonga).

    They're chasing an eighth win in a row in total.

  4. Patchell has been unfortunatepublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Jonathan Davies
    Former Wales international on BBC One

    I would like to see Rhys Patchell get on, he has been unlucky with injuries this year. But given a chance to show what he can do, I think he's maybe in the number one position at the moment for wearing that no.10 shirt

    Wales' Rhys PatchellImage source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Right, it's anthems time... a couple of belters at the Principality.

  6. Fatherhood helping Biggarpublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Wales' Dan BiggarImage source, Getty Images

    Wales fly-half Dan Biggar says fatherhood helped him deal with the pressure of kicking Wales to the historic 9-6 win against Australia last weekend.

    Biggar came off the bench to kick the winning penalty as Wales beat Australia for the first time since 2008.

    "I've really changed my outlook on rugby over the last year since I've had a little one," the 29-year-old told BBC Radio 5 live's Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

    "You go home and your little boy doesn't care if you've scored the winning points or had a rubbish game.

    "If I make a mistake or things don't go my way I've still got something pretty amazing to come home to. When you start a family that becomes the most important thing."

  7. Crowded pitchpublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Gareth Griffiths
    BBC Sport Wales at the Principality Stadium

    Never ceases to amaze how many people they can cram onto the Principality Stadium field before the game with the choir, the band and the military personnel protecting two giants flags of Wales and Tonga. We await the players and the grand entrance they are always greeted to.

  8. Clean sweep on the cards?published at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Wales have never lost to Tonga in eight previous encounters and will be confident of adding to wins this November over Scotland and Australia, with just South Africa next weekend standing between them and a first clean sweep in an autumn series.

  9. I am just a scaffolder living the dream!published at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    "I am just a scaffolder living the dream!"

    The words of Liam Williams, who did not start his career following the traditional path of a modern-day rugby professional.

    Read his thoughts on winning his 50th cap for Wales here

    Liam WilliamsImage source, Get
  10. 'A deal's a deal...'published at 14:20 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Eddie Butler
    BBC Sport rugby commentator

    There's part two of an agreement to honour here, following a pact with the rugby spirits of the Blorenge Mountain. Wales to beat Australia in exchange for defeat to Tonga. A deal is a deal, isn't it?

    To be honest, it wouldn't do Wales any harm to lose a riot of a game by 45 points to 44.

    It would ease the pressure that's mounting with this sequence, seven-long, of victories. Keep the fever down.

    So, here's to Tonga. It shouldn't happen and probably won't. Wales a bit scrappily by 15 points, logic says. But a deal's a deal.

  11. We need to show what we can do in attackpublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Richie Rees
    Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

    There are some Wales attacking players who will feel this is a great opportunity to show what they can do. You would expect Wales to be on the front foot.

  12. Postpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Media caption,

    Flats and Shanks preview Wales v Tonga with some help at the Principality Stadium

  13. The form bookpublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    TongaImage source, Getty Images

    Wales head into the fixture on the back of autumn wins over Scotland and Australia, but will make it eight international victories on the bounce if they beat Tonga.

    The Tongans are also coming into this match in fine fettle. Wins in the summer over rivals Fiji and Samoa have formed part of a run of seven victories in their last 11 Tests.

    Coach Toutai Kefu, who won the World Cup in Cardiff with Australia in 1999, says that those wins make playing for Tonga a “more attractive commodity” as he tries to tempt a host of top Pacific talent to represent them at next year’s World Cup.

    One of those to commit is the familiar face of Ospreys prop Ma’afu Fia who makes his debut.

  14. 'We're going to play territory'published at 14:14 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Toutai KefuImage source, Getty Images

    Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu: "It's not the strongest Welsh team, but they're still the Welsh team whoever wears the jersey, they're still Wales to me.

    "They've a strong set-piece, they've a good kicking game and they play territory really well. They don't give you much, so we're going to play territory ourselves.

    "We need a strong set-piece, and we need to limit our turnovers."

  15. Crowd slowly buildingpublished at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Gareth Griffiths
    BBC Sport Wales at the Principality Stadium

    The crowd is slowly building here at the Principality Stadium. This international against a Tier Two nation always has a different feel with more families in attendance. They are expecting in excess of 60,000 here today. We await to see what short of spectacle they will be treated to.

    Wales fansImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'Fantastic opportunity'published at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    GatlandImage source, Reuters

    Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "Saturday is a fantastic opportunity for a number of players. It's Jonah Holmes' first game which is exciting and Liam [Williams] reaches his 50th which is a great achievement.

    "We are looking forward to the challenge of Tonga. They had a great win last weekend against the French Barbarians and we know it is going to be a tough, physical challenge.

    "We have spoken about creating depth and for us that is all about creating a squad that is full of first-teamers, everyone in the squad capable of starting.

    "The boys this weekend have to put their hand up for the final match and put pressure on the players who started last weekend."

  17. Shop window for Tongapublished at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Martyn Williams
    Former Wales international on BBC One

    This is a shop window for Tonga, imagine if they can end Wales' run.

    It is also the easiest teamtalk for them, because they can say 'Wales think they can beat you with their second team'. It makes it fascinating.

  18. Elsewherepublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    England fanImage source, EPA

    Loads of rugby for you to get your teeth stuck into today, and we'll have you covered throughout.

    England host Japan at Twickenham at 15:00 GMT, with commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and live text commentary on the BBC Sport website, plus highlights this evening on BBC Two.

    That Test is followed this afternoon by Scotland v South Africa and then the big one between Ireland and New Zealand.

    Hope you're sitting comfortably, kettle at the ready.

  19. World Cup places up for grabspublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde says World Cup places are on the line against Tonga this afternoon.

    "The players coming in know they have to take the opportunity," he added.

    "Everybody who puts the red shirt on during this autumn campaign leading into the next year realise they have to grab this opportunity with both hands.

    "This squad is competitive and you consider you have a couple of world-class players not available through injury who are going to come back into the mix."

  20. Fia makes Tonga debutpublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 November 2018

    Wales v Tonga (14:30 GMT)

    Ma’afu FiaImage source, Getty Images

    Ospreys prop Ma’afu Fia will make his international debut after featuring in a Tongan side in Bordeaux last week that beat the French Barbarians 49-38 in an uncapped match. Coach Toutai Kefu has kept faith with the side that ran in seven tries in that game and the experienced Castres Olympique lock Steve Mafi is the only change to the starting XV. He comes in for Sam Ulufonu, while there are six changes among the replacements. Veteran full back Vunga Lilo will win his first cap since the last pool game of the 2015 World Cup against New Zealand in Newcastle in 2015, while Bristol Bears centre Saile Piutau leads the team.

    Tonga: 15-Lilo, 14-Lolohea, 13-Taufa, 12-Piutau (capt), 11-Kilioni, 10-Morath, 9-Takulua; 1-Fisi'ihoi, 2-Ngauamo, 3-Fia, 4-Fifita, 5-Mafi, 6-Dan Faleafa, 7-Lokotui, 8-Vailanu.

    Replacements: 16-Sakalia, 17-Talakai, 18-Fa'anunu, 19-Havili, 20-Mike Faleafa, 21-Fukofuka, 22-Hala, 23-Pakalani.