France stunned 19-14 by Tonga

Through to last-eight despite Rugby World Cup shock.

AUCKLAND:

France got through to the last-eight of the Rugby World Cup despite a nightmare 19-14 loss to Tonga which goes down as their worst result on the sport’s biggest stage.

France enjoyed an early lead but Sukanaivalu Hufanga’s first-half try, and fly-half Kurt Morath four penalties ensured a famous win for Tonga.

Meanwhile, England scraped past Scotland 16-12 to qualify for the quarter-finals with a dramatic late try. England trailed for most of the game before Chris Ashton popped up for the winning score with two minutes to go.

Scotland had kept England pinned back in the first half and they went into the break 9-3 up. Captain Alastair Kellock was devastated at the loss.

“We knew it would take an extraordinary effort to beat England but I’m gutted,” he said.

Earlier, Australia also reached the quarter-finals by beating Russia 68-22, but at the cost of Drew Mitchell pulling a hamstring.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2011.