Ultimately it was two very direct tries – lineout drives finished off by Jordi Murphy and Andy Ellis – that saw them home at Thomond Park to end the tour had seen them narrowly beaten by Australia and New Zealand on successive weekends.

The Barbarians scored two more fluent first half scores through Taqele Naiyaravoro and George Bridge with Robert du Preez adding a penalty and two conversions. 

Tonga were highly competitive, scoring tries from Ateli Pakalani, Fotu Lokotui to build up a 14-0 lead and then twice through Sione Vailanu in the second half.

The Pacific islanders are England’s first-up opponents at the 2019 World Cup and showcased their direct and physical style early on.

First Leicester full back Ateli Pakalani and then Counties flanker Fotu Lokotui battered their way over for a 14-0 lead to leave the Barbarians in no doubt about the size of the challenge.

They Baa-baas lost James Cronin and Nic Stirzaker to early injuries, too, but worked their way back into the game with a classic combination of power and skill.

Naiyaravoro had impressed with two tries against Australia at the start of the tour and hammered his way up the left for a long-range opening try after fielding a kick-pass out wide.

Then Bridge finished off a fabulous passage of play involving a Richard Buckman flick and a Vince Aso offload to slide over on the right with du Preez converting to narrow the gap to two points.

The Stormers fly half edged the Barbarians in front for the first time five minutes before the break with a penalty and Naiyaravoro nearly got away again moments before half time only to be hauled down 10 metres short.

The Barbarians increased the tempo early in the second half but ended up trailing again after replacement flanker Sione Vailanu burst through some slack lineout defence.

But they tightened up their game quickly with a lineout drive that saw Jordi Murphy driven over with du Preez drilling his conversion over through the swirling rain.

Du Preez kept the Tongans at arms-length after that, sliding another fine kick into the corner and this time it was Ellis who joined in the driving maul and emerged from under the forwards with the ball.

Tonga struck again through Vailanu two minutes from time but the Barbarians quickly responded with Bridge and Adriaan Strauss on the attack when they finally ran out of time.

BARBARIANS: George Bridge (Crusaders); Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs & Australia), Richard Buckman (Highlanders), Harold Vorster (Lions), Vince Aso (Hurricanes); Robert du Preez (Stormers), Nic Stirzaker (Rebels, vice captain); James Cronin (Munster and Ireland), Akker van der Merwe (Sharks), Brian Scott (Munster), Geoff Parling (Munakata Sanix Blues & England, Captain), Quinn Roux (Connacht & Ireland), Jordi Murphy (Leinster & Ireland), Simone Favaro (Fiamme Oro & Italy), Willie Britz (Sunwolves).

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss (Bulls & South Africa), Jacques van Rooyen (Lions), Ruan Smith (Toyota Verblitz), Donncha O’Callaghan (Worcester Warriors & Ireland), John Muldoon (Connacht & Ireland), Andy Ellis (Kobelco Steelers & New Zealand), David Smith (Castres), Sam Carter (Brumbies & Australia).

TONGA: Ateli Pakalani; David Halaifonua, Nafi Tuitavake, Tevita Taufui, Cooper Vuna; Kali Hala, Sonatane Takalua; Paea Faanunu, Sione Lea, Ben Tameifuna, Leva Fifita, Steve Mafi, Dan Faleafa, Fotu Lokotui, Maama Vaipulu

Replacements: Maile Ngauamo, Latu Talakai, Halani Aulika, OneHunga Kaufisi, Sione Vailanu, Suke Tuumotooa, Fetuli Paea, Penikolo Latu