Thirteen-man Tonga stun Scots

Coach Andy Robinson's job is on the line after Scotland plunged to the most humiliating defeat in their history when they suffered a shock 15-21 loss to lowly Tonga on Saturday.

And a furious Robinson dubbed the latest miserable performance "unacceptable" and admitted "there will be consequences".

"That was a totally unacceptable performance we've witnessed today. From my side I'm very angry. There will be consequences because of this performance. I won't go through yet what those will be. It reflects on me," Robinson said.

Asked about his own future, Robinson merely said: "We'll look at everything."

Having been hammered by the superpowers of the southern hemisphere in a disastrous November Test window, few would have imagined the Scots could slump even lower to claim a mini wooden spoon.

But the fired-up Tongans took Aberdeen by storm to claim their first ever Test triumph on the European stage.

The islanders bagged the only two tries in a frantic encounter - with the home brigade failing to impose any real authority.

And with Scotland also facing a nightmare World Cup draw thanks to their recent dreadful displays, Murrayfield chiefs must now decide if Robinson is the right man to stay at the helm for the Six Nations campaign.

The Tongans came out with all guns blazing and their rousing early endeavours forced the Scots into giving away a penalty as Al Strokosch illegally entered a ruck.

There was a reprieve for the hosts, however, when flyhalf Fangatapu 'Apikotoa sent his 40-metre strike narrowly wide.

But they kept up the pressure and 'Apikotoa was handed an immediate chance to make amends from closer range.

And this time his aim was true to give his side the lead.

Scotland hit back positively and quickly with a promising raid, but there was more frustration as Greig Laidlaw's angled penalty rebounded from the upright, allowing Tonga to clear the danger.

But the flyhalf followed his opposite number by banging over his second pot at goal in the 11th minute.

Tonga were posing plenty of problems when they were on the front foot, but Scotland looked sharp with the ball in the hands of the backs.

Their confidence was underlined as they opted to go for a try rather than another penalty.

Hooker Scott Lawson was driven over the line in the wake of a well-executed rolling maul, but the video referee ruled he had failed to ground the ball.

Only desperate defence kept out the Scots as they laid siege to the line during a series of scrums and further penalties.

Eight minutes of constant pressure yielded nothing for the home men and a tame turnover allowed the visitors to escape from their danger zone.

Scotland were given further incentive seven minutes before half time when lock Tukulua Lokotui was sin-binned for dangerous tactics in the line-out.

Prop Halani 'Aulika was perhaps fortunate to dodge the same punishment for a no-arms body check on Matt Scott.

Having failed to breach the visiting markers, Scotland resorted to the boot - Laidlaw's penalty giving them the edge.

The crowd volume rose when Sean Lamont bashed his way down the middle to create a clear-cut chance.

They couldn't turn the good work into a touchdown, but collected another three points from Laidlaw's accuracy.

And there was more breathing space for Scotland when 'Apikotoa was short with his next attempt at the sticks.

The contest burst into life in the 51st minute as Tonga snatched a surprise lead.

Lokotui more than made up for his yellow card by burrowing over for a try from point-blank range, giving 'Apikotoa a simple conversion.

Laidlaw instantly eased the Scots' anxiety by adding penalty number four - and repeated the dose mid-way through the half.

But still Tonga looked more clinical in attack and 'Apikotoa narrowed the gap with his next strike.

Even better was to come for the tourists as wing Fetu'u Vainikolo left his cover for dead with two dazzling dummies and galloped in for a superb solo try from his own half.

The tension level soared when debut substitute Tom Heathcote watched in agony as his first shot at goal dipped under the crossbar.

And Scotland's task became a lost cause as 'Apikotoa found the target again.

The scorers:

For Scotland:

Pens: Laidlaw 5

For Tonga:

Tries: Lokotui, Vainikolo

Con: Apikotoa

Pens: Apikotoa 3

Yellow cards: Lua Lokotui (Tonga, 33 - foul play, playing a man in the air), Nili Latu Langilangi (Tonga, 68 - repeated infringements at the breakdown), Steve Mafi (Tonga, 78 - foul play, tip tackle)

Teams:

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Max Evans, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 David Denton, 7 Kelly Brown (captain), 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Kyle Traynor.

Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 John Barclay, 21 Rory Lawson, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Nick de Luca.

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Will Helu, 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Nili Latu (captain), 6 Hale T Pole, 5 Tukulua Lokotui, 4 Joe Tu'ineau, 3 Halani 'Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Alisona Taumalolo.

Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Ma'asi, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Kamaliele Sakalia, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Sione Timani, 21 Viliame 'longi, 22 Eddie Paea, 23 Alipate Fatafehi.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland) and Marius Mitrea (Italy)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)

AFP