Tonga triumph in entertaining contest with Romania

2 years ago 48

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Tonga: (21) 45
Tries: Kata 2, Moala, Taumoepeau, Vailanu, Ahki, Taumoefolau Cons: Havili 5
Romania (17) 24
Tries: Boboc, Surugiu, Simionescu Cons: Conache 3 Pens: Conache

Tonga earned their first win of the Rugby World Cup in an entertaining Pool B contest against Romania.

Both sides went into the game aiming to avoid finishing bottom after three defeats from three games against Ireland, Scotland and South Africa.

Romania stayed within touching distance up to the hour mark but Tonga pulled away in the final 20 minutes.

However, The Oaks' 24 points meant they avoided setting a record for the fewest points scored at a Rugby World Cup.

Romania went into the game with only eight points scored in three games and a points difference of -234, and went behind early through a moment of magic from ex-All Black Charles Piutau who set-up Solomone Kata to cross after 11 minutes.

Another former New Zealand international scored Tonga's second four minutes later when George Moala burst through weak Romania defence to go under the posts and make it 14-0.

Conache kicked Romania's first points since their opening game against Ireland but Tonga replied when a battering run by Sione Talitui created space for Afusipa Taumoepeau to put them 21-3 ahead after 22 minutes.

The Oaks' open-side flanker Cristi Boboc reduced the deficit and after Halaleva Fifita was yellow carded on 33 minutes Florin Surugiu scored on his 104th and final cap to make it 21-17 at the break.

Glasgow Warriors number eight Sioni Vailanu sealed Tonga's bonus point on 49 minutes before a wonderful reply from Romania as Nicholas Onutu's well-judged kick was gathered by full-back Marius Simionescu to make it 28-24 shortly before the hour mark.

But Tonga took full advantage as Romania began to tire, with Pita Ahki, Kata's second and Kyren Taumoefolau rounding off the win.