Tonga thrashed South Korea in their Rugby World Cup play-off in Seoul on Saturday, scoring 12 tries without reply.

The Tongans were simply too good for their Korean opponents, and are now almost certain to book a place in the finals of the World Cup in Australia in October.

The winners of the two-leg series will claim the last place in Group D of the World Cup which includes Wales, New Zealand, Italy and Canada.

The second leg of the play-off takes place in Tonga on 22 March.

"We played well in patches today," said Tonga's New Zealand-born coach Jim Love.

"I think we have done enough to get that World Cup place."

South Korea rarely looked like making an impression on the game and had no reply to Tonga's six tries in each half.

Centre Taniela Tulia scored two, including the first-half opener after just two minutes. He scored again on the half hour.

Silio Martens, Tonga's former New Zealand under-21 half back, scored tries in the 34th and 49th and Stanley Afeaki added two more in the 69th and 84th minute.

Pierre Hola scored a try, four conversions and a penalty and David Palu added two more points through another conversion.

Other tries for the Tongans were scored by Ephraim Taukafa, Sam Helo, Kisi Pulu, Tonga Lea'aetoa and Nisifolo Naufahu.

Tonga: Tonga Lea'aetoa, Kisi Pulu, Ephraim Taukafa, Inoke Afeaki, Milton Ngauamo, Usaia Latu, Stanley Afeaki, Benhur Kivalu, Silio Martens, Lisiate Ulufonua, Taniela Tulia, John Payne, Pierre Hola, Gus Leger