NEITHER side qualified for the Women’s World Cup, but Cook Islands and Tonga continued their development with an entertaining international at St Marys Leagues Stadium in Sydney.
Tonga won it 36-24, coming from behind after trailing 20-4.
Ava Glassie scored two early runaway tries from Tongan errors, and Anastasia Sekene also scored a double in the first half for Cook Islands.
China Polata and Fane Finau replied before half-time, Eta Sikahele and Simina Lokotui tries levelled it up, then Polata’s second try was cancelled out by Maruia Willie for 24-24.
Martha Mataele’s powerful break from her own line led to a crucial Namoe Gesa try, and Kalosipani Hopoate sealed Tonga’s victory late on.
Tonga captain Martha Mataele said: “Our middles really owned the field once we got into the rhythm.
“Even though we got the win, we have a long way to go, and we’ll be aiming to be more professional with each camp.”
Cook Islands head coach Shar Atai said: “We had a lot of players on debut and they did themselves proud.”
The Men’s European Championship C tournament will go to a decider after Malta, 29-28 winners over Germany a week earlier, were edged out 20-18 by Greece at Hibernians Rugby Club in Valetta.
Scrum-half Eddie Markopolous scored two of Greece’s four tries, the others coming from Samuel Stratis – who kicked two goals – and Tyrone Tsagalios.
Xavier Mamo and Josh Gatt (two) tries were all converted by Jarrod Sammut for Malta.
Greece face Germany in Crete this Saturday and victory by any margin will make them champions, while the Germans must triumph by a two-point margin.
“I’m very pleased with how we defended our line today,” said Greece head coach Steve Georgallis.
“We’ll build going into the Germany game, and I’m sure we’ll be better next week after this.”
“It’s a tough one to take,” said Malta head coach Kaine Dimech. “Some lapses in concentration cost us.”
There was also a senior men’s international in Canada, where the hosts ran out 42-6 winners over Jamaica at Brampton’s Terry Fox Stadium.
Oliver Lenahan (who kicked six goals), AJ Kosempel and Blake Mahovic all scored try doubles while Lee Keegel and Charles Curran also crossed the whitewash. Adrian Hall got Jamaica’s sole try, converted by Kymani Green.
