Makeshift hooker Keaon Koloamatangi has scored a miracle try to snatch a 24-18 victory for Mate Ma'a Tonga in their Rugby League World Cup opener against Papua New Guinea at St Helens.
Ranked second in the world, Tonga had never beaten their archrivals before, but entered this tournament with high hopes of toppling the game's powerhouse teams - champions Australia, world No.1 New Zealand and hosts England.
But like many of the other favoured sides, Tonga began their campaign sluggishly, conceding the first try to PNG second-rower Rhyse Martin, before an electrifying break from fullback Tolutau Koula put centre Will Penisini across to open their account.
Further tries from teenage half Isaiya Katoa and prop Moeaki Fotuaika provided the Tongans with some comfort at the break, with an 18-6 advantage, but their tournament hopes began to teeter, when they allowed their opponents back into the contest after the restart.
Papua New Guinea hooker Edwin Ipape broke down the right and found half Lachlan Lam running a support line to score, with the conversion closing the margin to six points.
They had a chance to make further inroads, when winger Rodrick Tai powered towards the corner, but was tackled out by Koula. Replays suggested Tai may have forced the ball for a try, replay official Ben Thaler thought otherwise, but no-one questioned Koula's blatant no-arms tackle.
The Tongans injected powerhouse David Fifita into the game and enjoyed a period of sustained pressure that saw the Gold Coast forward held up over the line.
PNG eventually capitalised on a knock-on from Koula under his own posts, putting winger Dan Russell over from the scrum, with Martin slotting the sideline conversion to draw level.
Katoa had a chance to put Tonga ahead again with five minutes left, but sliced his 40-metre penalty attempt right of the posts.
They eventually found the winner from unlikely circumstances, failing to set up for a field goal from a handy position on the last tackle, but throwing pass after pass, until captain Siosiua Taukeiaho kicked ahead and Kaloamatangi won the race to score.
The South Sydney forward was filling in for injured regular dummy half Saliva Havili.
"It was a big of a blur," said Koloamatangi. "I think it was last tackle and the boys were just throwing the ball around.
"I just followed the ball in case something happened, Siua put a kick in and it was perfect, and I was lucky to be there."
The result puts Tonga atop Group D, with rivals Wales and Cook Islands due to wrap up the opening round of games on Thursday (NZ time).
"We made it a bit tough on ourselves at times," said coach Kristian Woolf, who coaches the local St Helens team in the English Super League. "We'll get better, there's a lot more in us.
"We need to be better and we will be better."
Tonga 24 (Penisini, Katoa, Fotuaika & Koloamatangi tries; Katoa 4 goals) Papua New Guinea 18 (Russell, Lam & Martin tries; Lam goal, Martin 2 goals)
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