Platt's touch of tiredness lets Tonga off the hook

A costly mistake by the Bradford full-back Michael Platt robbed Ireland of their chance of a massive World Cup upset yesterday. The Irish were leading for the third time in the match with eight minutes to play when the weary Platt allowed Feleti Mateo's 40/20 kick to roll gently into touch, thus conceding vital possession.

"I wouldn't blame Michael," said the Irish coach, Andy Kelly. "It was just a very good kick." The Tongans, who had been given the scare of their lives, grabbed their opportunity, with Ieskeli Tonga scoring the winning try.

The highly fancied Polynesians knew they had got out of jail. Their indiscipline had led them into repeated conflict with the referee, Steve Ganson, who sent Tonga and Mateo to the sin bin for 10-minute stints. "Some of the interpretations were not what we were used to," said the Tongan coach, Jim Dymock, diplomatically.

His side had taken the lead through Michael Jennings, but Ireland showed they were not to be the makeweights many expected with the first of Damien Blanch's hat-trick while the Tongans were down to 12 for the first time.

The best and worst of Platt was then on display. He scored a try on the end of a flowing Irish move, but then hesitated and allowed Cooper Vuna to touch down a rolling ball.

Tonga led by a tenuous two points at the break, but Mateo went to the bin for dissent and Blanch immediately claimed his second, from a miracle pass by Sean Gleeson.

Tonga hit back to lead again, but a shock was in prospect when Blanch, an Australian who qualifies through a Belfast-born grandmother, leapt to take Liam Finn's kick. Pat Richards' conversion off the touchline gave Ireland a two-point edge, but they could not hang on. "I can't articulate how proud I am of them," Kelly said. "We fought fire with fire."

Tonga: Talanoa; Vuna, Jennings, Uasisale, Tonga; Mateo, Taufa'ao; Kaufusi, Leo-Latu, Manuokafoa, L Paea, Fa'aoso, Manu. Substitutes used: Moa, Lauaki, Usasi, Williams.

Ireland: Platt (Bradford); Blanch (Wakefield), Gleeson (Wakefield), Littler (Salford), Richards (Wigan); Grix (Wakefield), Fitzpatrick (Salford); O'Carroll (Wigan), Beswick (Widnes), Tandy (Wests Tigers), Harrison (Warrington), Doran (Leigh), Finnigan (Bradford). Substitutes used: McIlorum (Wigan), Finn (Dewsbury), Haggerty (Harlequins), Cassidy (Barrow).

Referee: S Ganson (England).

*Lee Smith, the hat-trick hero of England's unconvincing opening win over Papua New Guinea, is almost certainly out of the match against Australia in Melbourne on Sunday. The Leeds winger has a foot injury, with Wigan's Mark Calderwood likely to play.