Controversial Tackle Puts Star Player in Trouble Following Impressive Tongan Victory Over PNG

Tonga’s Jade Fonua will be anxiously awaiting the outcome from the match review committee after being penalised for a hip-drop tackle on Papua New Guinea captain Elsie Albert during the second half of their Pacific Championships encounter on Saturday.

As Albert attempted to turn the momentum in favour of the home side, she was brought down by both Fonua and Tatiana Finau just past the halfway line.

The powerful prop lay flat on the ground following the tackle, appearing to be in discomfort, which led referee Kasey Badger to halt play.

Albert was seen holding her left leg as teammates rushed to her aid.

“They really need Elsie,” Brad Fittler commented during the broadcast on Nine.

As the incident replay was displayed on the large screens in Port Moresby, Fittler commented that the tackle was indeed a hip-drop.

“When they lift their weight off their feet and use their body to bring you down, that constitutes a hip-drop,” Fittler said.

Albert subsequently returned to the field, while Fonua was informed that the action would be reviewed after the match, though she was not required to spend time in the sin bin.

However, the penalty imposed did little to aid PNG on the scoreboard.

Tonga dominated the early minutes of the match, testing PNG and earning multiple consecutive sets within their opponents’ half.

A deft grubber into the corner found Moana Courtenay, who scored the opening points for Tonga in the third minute, quickly followed by Ruby Fifita five minutes later.

It wasn’t until the ninth minute that PNG, trailing 10-0, finally managed to touch the ball, while Tonga had not yet made a tackle.

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An error in play-the-ball allowed Tonga to regain possession, pushing for further points through Tatiana Finau, who was denied by a try-saving effort from Albert.

The Orchids faced significant struggles, giving away seven penalties for play-the-ball errors, exacerbated when second-rower Marie Biyama was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Determined to score, Albert finally unlocked the scoreboard for her side in the 16th minute of the first half.

A long pass found Naomi Kelly in space, who sprinted 60 metres down the sideline, scoring with no defenders able to reach her.

Unperturbed by PNG’s scoring, Tonga responded with Kalosipani Hopoate and Martha Mataele bagging tries to extend their lead to 18-6 as the teams headed into half-time.

Similar to the first half, PNG resumed after the break struggling to hold onto possession.

Malia Tuifua was the first to score in the second half, with Fonua following suit, becoming the sixth Tongan player to cross the line.

“PNG’s identity is all about being tough and tenacious…but this is the fourth time [Tonga] has simply muscled their way over [PNG’s] defence,” Fittler remarked.

Simina Lokotui crashed over the line in the 53rd minute, and a late double from Mataele concluded Tonga’s impressive 42-6 triumph on their opponents’ ground.