Three tries in the first half have helped Tonga to establish a 22-7 lead over Namibia at the break in their Rugby World Cup Pool C clash.

Neither team was able to open up much space in the early exchanges at Sandy Park, but it was Tonga who made the breakthrough in the seventh minute.

Telusa Veainu bagged the first try of the contest after bursting though two Namibian challenges to breeze to the try line, with Vunga Lilo making a successful conversion.

Tonga enjoyed far greater success in the scrum, which piled pressure on the Welwitschias, and they were on the scoreboard again five minutes later.

Jack Ram claimed the ball at the back from the lineout before breaking away, brushing aside three Namibian tacklers down the wing prior to burrowing over the try line.

The second try seemed to spring Namibia back to life and they responded soon after, with lock Tjiuee Uanivi capitalising on a mistake before offloading to Tromp, who sped away for a try. Thenus Kotze then successfully added the two extra points.

Lilo spurned the opportunity to extend Tonga's lead when he missed a penalty from in front of the posts, but they managed to do so in the 25th minute through Latiume Fosita, who carried the ball over the for the try after Joe Tu'ineau had been denied yards from the line.

Tonga won another penalty seven minutes before the break when Jacques Burger was penalised for being in front of the kicker, and Lilo converted to extend the lead to 15 points.