After tries from Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves centre Toby King, Hull KR halfback Mikey Lewis and a brace for Tom Johnstone, England defeated Tonga in the opening Test Match of the series at St Helens.
Though some disparage international rugby league, it feels like it could be soon stronger than ever.
This is because we have seen the emergence of teams like Samoa and Tonga as genuine rivals to England.
In 2017, England defeated Tonga in a sensational World Cup semi-final. Then last year, Samoa claimed the win at England’s expense in the World Cup semis in another thriller.
Even the game on Saturday highlighted the new rivalry that is being born between teams like Tonga and England.
This was highlighted the most when there was a coming together on Sunday. Morgan Knowles and Tom Johnstone came up with a brilliant try saving tackle but Tongan players took exception to what they felt like were afters in the tackle.
This led to players going head to head including England skipper Jack Welsby who had to be pulled away by Leeds Rhinos star and debutant Harry Newman.
The man at the heart of all this was Keon Koloamatangi. He has been found guilty of a push to the face during the altercation by the disciplinary.
However, he was only cautioned for the incident escaping any punishment despite his role in the incident.
He was one of three Tongan players cautioned with two others in trouble over late hits.
England star Victor Radley was also cautioned for a similar offence. The likes of Newman and Daryl Clark were also cited for incidents during the game but escaped with no charge.
The only player who was fully charged was England prop Tom Burgess. The South Sydney Rabbitohs star who has been linked with moves to Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves as well as turning down interest from Wigan Warriors, has been charged for a high tackle in the game but awaits a proper verdict on whether he will serve a ban, a fine or simply escape punishment as is possible with the current system with regards to Grade A offences,
