Tongans destroy Scots 48-0
AAP
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=53439
Parramatta linchpin Feleti Mateo knows what to expect when he faces Manly next year after watching Tony Williams destroy Scotland in Tonga's final Rugby League World Cup match.
Former Eels teammates Mateo and Williams played together, but Williams will join the NRL premiers next year.
Mateo was named the official man of the match as Tonga made easy work of Scotland to claim a 48-0 win and seventh place in the World Cup.
But it was the damaging display at lock from 116kg Williams - who debuted with Parramatta as a winger - that caught the eye.
And Mateo knows what is probably coming his way next season when the Eels face Manly.
"I saw him on his debut so I know what he can do," said Mateo after the Tongans' eight tries to nil victory at Rockhampton's Browne Park.
"I think it will be exciting playing against him - I have talked it up to him.
"He will probably run over the top of me."
Tongan coach Jim Dymock and captain Lopini Paea both think Williams' days of running outside centres are over.
"He played great today so he can handle it (the back row)," said Dymock.
"He has good feet and a good offload and he is pretty damaging when he gets the ball."
Said Paea: "I think he is going to be a back-rower of the future. He is a giant so he is wasted on the wing."
While the Tongans left Central Queensland with a huge win, Dymock said there was disappointment after his side failed to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals.
He also pointed out they beat a battered Scotland side.
"I felt sorry for Scotland - they were playing after a three-day turnaround and I don't think anyone has won after the three-day turnaround," he said.
"I heard they were pretty depleted.
"We racked up some points and most pleasing was they didn't score.
"But it seems we left our run too late."
The Tongans put together identical halves, leading 24-0 at halftime and putting another four tries on in the second stanza despite searing heat of over 30 degrees.
Winger Cooper Vuna scored twice and was unlucky not to get a third.
While Scotland were not at their best, they leave Australia proud after claiming their first ever World Cup win with their 18-16 shock over Fiji on Wednesday.
"It was hard today but that is what Test matches and World Cup games are about," said coach Steve McCormack.
"We need to learn from this."
Manly's NRL premiership winger Michael Robertson, who was valiant for the Scots at fullback today, said his teammates could take some solace from their result in the tournament.
"There is not much rugby league in Scotland, so hopefully that win will generate some interest," he said.
"We can hold our heads high."
