Huddersfield Giants man baffled that Tonga star wasn’t punished for incident against Wales

It may sound stupid, but last night’s game between Tonga and Wales which ended 32-6 to the Tongans was one of the best and most enjoyable games of the World Cup so far.

Largely due to the fact, Wales were winning after 36 minutes due to a brilliant Kyle Evans try.

As Tonga struggled with the frustrations of trailing to John Kear’s side, tempers boiled over in an incident after a Wales attacking set.

Widnes Vikings’ Matty Fozzard was held short and a turnover followed. There was then some generic pushing but then Keaon Koloamatangi took it a bit far with a huge push into the face Bailey Antrobus forcing the backrow’s neck to jolt backwards. The second-row was previously with St George Illawarra Dragons but now plies his trade at York.

After this moment between the two backrowers, no penalty was given to Wales and certainly no card was shown.

Crucially, a few minutes later it was the South Sydney backrow Koloamatangi who crossed for a vital try which made it 16-6 to Tonga at halftime.

Speaking during BBC’s coverage of the game Huddersfield Giants and Jamaica star Ash Golding was baffled that the push wasn’t punished stating that had the incident occurred in a tackle, then there would have been punishment due to the fact that there was definite flexion of the head from the contact made.

He insinuated that perhaps a card should have been shown.

Golding said: “If you’re carrying the ball there and you’re hit like that, you’re going to see the match review panel for that at least. There’s flexion of the neck and it’s clear to see but we play on?”

Had there been a card shown, perhaps things would have been differently as it happened Tonga ended up easing to a 32-6 win.