WALES laboured to back-to-back victories with a fairly lacklustre performance at the Millennium Stadium to record their seventh win out of seven over Tonga.

Showing 11 changes to the starting XV which enjoyed a record 40-6 victory over Argentina last week, it was a very disjointed and mixed display.

Although they dominated proceedings, Wales just couldn’t pull away from a Tonga who defended stoutly but the hosts were criminally wasteful, squandering a hatful of chances.

Young Newport Gwent Dragons wing Hallam Amos enjoyed a varied debut, the 19-year-old showing some nice touches but he coughed the ball up on a number of occasions and his defensive lapse saw Tonga score their try.

Wales were nearly ahead after five minutes when number eight and captain Ryan Jones charged down scrum half Taniela Moa’s kick but his opposite number Lloyd Williams was well held up by some last-ditch defending.

It was a ponderous and uncertain start by Wales, poor handling and silly penalties prevented them from building any momentum in a shapeless opening to the game.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny put them into the lead in the 14th minute with a straight forward penalty.

Wales finally got it together when they scored a glorious try from the re-start after they attacked from deep, Halfpenny’s half break and pass finding centre Owen Williams who finished in style with plenty left to do. Halfpenny added the extras to give them a 10-0 lead.

The hosts started to carve the Tongans up at will with James Hook orchestrating affairs beautifully at outside-half, his first start at No 10 for Wales in over two years.

They were further ahead when wing George North tore through only for some trademark blinkered play from the wing to fail to find supporting runners as he did in against Argentina last week.

He was lucky that Wales recycled well and centre Ashley Beck crossed in the corner for his second international try, Halfpenny’s handsome touchline conversion putting his side 17 points up.

Tonga hit back in the 33rd when a fine bulldozing run and offload by Gloucester blindside Sione Kalamafoni found wing Will Helu who crossed under the posts for a converted try, the visitors benefiting from some inept defending.

The half ended with Wales leading by just 17-7 after dominating the first 40 minutes.

A moment of genius by Hook saw the hosts nearly grab their third try at the start of the second half, the Perpignan ghosting his way through the visiting defence, chipping ahead before ripping the ball off a defender, Wales recycling and North nearly putting Amos through.

And the young Dragons star came close to scoring soon after only to be denied a try by television match official Carlo Damasco, the Italian judging the wing was in touch before grounding.

Wales again threatened to stretch their lead, lock Ian Evans tearing into the Tongan 22 at one stage, but they failed to finish promising moves off with a score.

They repeatedly turned down shots at goal to go for Tonga’s jugular but some ham-fisted finishing saw them butcher chance after chance, ex-Dragons favourite Luke Charteris knocking on with the line at his mercy.

Wales seemed to have got the killer try ten minutes from time when North barged over for from a short range ruck only for the hosts to be penalised for obstruction.

There was a first cap for young Scarlets No 9 who came on for Williams but he couldn’t up the pace with the little time remaining.

There was no scoring in the second half, a sad and disappointment indictment.

At least there was no repeat of the calamitous display against Samoa last November.

Wales: L Halfpenny, G North, O Williams, A Beck, H Amos, J Hook (R Priestland 69), L Williams (R Williams 70), P James (R Bevington 69), K Owens (E Phillips 69), Rhodri Jones (S Lee 69), L Charteris, I Evans (A W Jones 70), D Lydiate, J Tipuric, Ryan Jones (capt).

Replacements: S Warburton, J Williams.

Wales scorers: Tries – Owen Williams, Ashley Beck, Conversions – Leigh Halfpenny (2), Penalty – L Halfpenny

Tonga: V Lilo (D Halaifonua 72); F Vainikolo, S Piutau, H Paea, W Helu, L Fosita (F Apikotoa 77), T Moa (S Fisilau 52); E Aholelei (T Vea 52), E Tione (S Taione 63), S Puafisi (T Mailau 52), T Lokotui, J Tu'ineau, S Kalamafoni (H T Pole 47), N Latu (capt), V Ma'afu (O Fonua 42)

Replacement: S Taufalele

Tonga scorers: Try – Will Helu , Conversion – Latiume Fosita

Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

Attendance: 46, 523

Argus star man: James Hook