England completed a series clean sweep over Tonga with a third consecutive victory against Kristian Woolf’s side to round off an impressive autumn international programme for Shaun Wane’s men.
The series had already been decided prior to this third and final Test at Headingley but England arguably reserved their best and most polished display of the three matches here in Leeds. The hosts were much the stronger, as they have been for almost all of the series, with four tries to Tonga’s one underlining the gap between the two sides.
England led 14-0 at half-time, with tries from Ben Currie and Matty Ashton, coupled with three goals from the boot of the impressive Harry Smith. The Wigan scrum-half, who was named player of the series, has impressed across all three Tests and looks set to be captain George Williams’ long-term partner at half-back on the road to the next World Cup in 2026.
And the hosts’ advantage was extended further five minutes after the restart, when Elliott Whitehead marked his final England match before international retirement with a well-taken try. The try of the afternoon then followed, a remarkable score which saw the play cross the width of the field before freeing the Leeds centre, Harry Newman, to score on his home ground.
Tonga have been disappointing all series, but they at least avoided the ignominy of being nilled when Eliesa Katoa scored as the game entered the final ten minutes. However, there would be no comeback from the Tongans who, in truth, were well-beaten not just here, but across all three matches by an impressive England side.
