Report: Emerging Scotland 12-19 Tonga XV
17 Nov 2025Emerging Scotland produced a physical and spirited performance as they were narrowly beaten by a strong Tonga XV side 19-12 at Scotstoun this afternoon.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Scotland's Jack Brown in action during a friendly match between Emerging Scotland and Tonga XV, at Scotstoun Stadium, on November 17, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group) In the opening minutes Scotland broke down the left, with Lewis Wells finding Ben Afshar, but his pass inside which would have created a certain try was intercepted.
Mikey Jones made a break through the middle from the halfway line and charged towards the 22, but the ball slipped from his grasp in the tackle and Tonga gathered.
The biggest chance came from a Scottish rolling maul, which started just inside Tonga’s 22 and went all the way to a metre short, but at the resulting ruck there was a knock on at the base.
With the final play of the half it was Tonga on the attack, but the Emerging Scotland defence held firm and they eventually forced a knock on to end the opening period.
Half time: Emerging Scotland 0-0 Tonga XV
Tonga took the lead just after half time, getting the ball out to the left wing where Tima Fainga’anuku dotted down inches from the corner flag. The conversion drifted wide.
It was the power of Tonga’s pack that earned them a second score, with Veikoso Poloniati making the final metres and Willy Havili converting.
Scotland’s first real chance of the second half came when they were awarded a scrum penalty. It was kicked to the left corner, and the maul made some metres but when Matthew Urwin kicked to Ben Afshar on the right wing, the young Warrior slipped and Tonga won the penalty at the resulting breakdown.
Tonga then broke down the left, winning a penalty which was kicked into the left corner. The lineout was stolen, and Scotland’s backs worked it out to Jack Brown on the opposite wing. The young back three man grubbered up the middle, and Conor McAlpine finished a try under the posts which was converted by Urwin.
The visitors then got another penalty soon after the restart, which again went into the left corner, but Oguntibeju stole the lineout in the air and the young Scots one a penalty of their own to clear.
Tonga got their third, again through the forwards, with Sefo Sakalia grounding it from inches short and Havili converting again.
With the final play Emerging Scotland got their second, as Jack Brown quickly got the ball away to Johnny Ventisei on the left, and he found Afshar on the wing who wriggled out of one tackle and grounded.
Full time: Emerging Scotland 12-19 Tonga XV
Emerging Scotland: 15. Jack Brown 14. Fergus Watson 13. Geordie Gwynn 12. Kerr Yule 11. Lewis Wells 10. Cammy Scott 9. Ben Afshar 1. Mikey Jones 2. Harri Morris 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty 4. Euan McVie 5. Jare Oguntibeju 6. Liam McConnell CAPTAIN 7. Freddy Douglas 8. Tom Currie
Replacements: 16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty 17. Jake Shearer 18. Cole Lamberton 19. Christian Lindsay 20. Ryan Burke 21. Conor McAlpine 22. Matthew Urwin 23. Johhny Ventisei 24. Oliver McKenna 25. Seb Stephen 26. Jamie Stewart 27. Josh Taylor 28. Maccenzie Duncan 29. Jonny Morris 30. Jack Oliver 31. Malelli Satala 32. Fin Thomson
Tonga XV: 15. Willy Havili 14. Taniela Filimone 13. Tima Fainga’anuku 12. Solomone Kata CO-CAPTAIN 11. John Tapueluelu 10. Patrick Pelegrini 9. Siadsi Nginingini 1. Fatongia Paea 2. Samu Maile 3. Ben Tameifuna CO-CAPTAIN 4. Harrison Mataele 5. Veikoso Poloniati 6. Semisi Paea 7. Tupou Afungia 8. Siua Mala
Replacements: 16. Samiu Moli 17. Phil Kite 18. Siate Tokolahi 19. Pila Napa’a 20. Sefo Sakalia 21. Aisea Halo 22. Ofa Manuofeta 23. Fine Unisi 24. Anzelo Tuitavuki 25. Saia Unga
