Tonga has recorded its fourth win over Romania in Bucharest this morning, winning the physical battle 43-38 at the Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf.
The teams scored six tries apiece, the highest recorded between the two sides in a single match, with fly-half Patrick Pellegrini converting five of the tries for a personal tally of 10 points.
Tongan veteran Sonatane Takulua led the ‘sipitau’, Tonga’s challenge, as the game prepared for kick off.
Captain Fetuli Paea thanked the team for staying in the game but pointed to ill-discipline which allowed Romania back into the game.
He said having two days of training before the game was tough.
“Full credit to our boys,” Paea said post-match.
“Our boys dominated the middle. We just got here, we just arrived Sunday, two day training and then we play today.
“It was tough and it’s always tough against Romania especially on their home ground.
“But full credit to the boys.”
Romania captain Cristi Boboc congratulated Tonga, adding the match was physical and tough.
He also praised his fellow teammates.
“It was very tough and we will need to work on it next week and do better,” he said.
“It was a tight game, everyone gave 100 percent in the game.
“Congrats to Tonga team, they played well tonight, they gave everything and congrats to our team too because even though we lost I think it was a pretty good game and we also gave so much on the pitch,” Boboc said.
Tonga led 22-17 at half-time.
John Tapueluelu runs in to score against Romania in Bucharest this morning
World Rugby
The two teams scored three tries apiece in the first spell of 40 minutes.
History suggested a close-fought affair between the two sides, having played each other six times with three wins each, since they first met in 2013.
Their latest results before this morning’s encounter, Tonga had won 45-24 when the sides met at Rugby
World Cup 2023, but Romania edged past the islanders 25-15 in Bucharest two years ago.
Hosts Romania opened the account early, with Marius Simionescu stepping and running in to score between the posts, with Alin Conache converting for a 7-0 lead.
Romania’s attack featured wingers, Fijian Iliesa Tiqe and Tongan Tevita Manumua.
Tonga got rolling after that try and big lock Veikoso Poloniati scored their first try in the eighth minute. That came at the back of a Romania knock on which was picked up by flanker Semisi Paea at halfway, before he sent prop Siegfred Fisiihoi running through a hole in the Romanian defence.
The ensuing ruck win saw flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini chipping the ball right into the space, where centre Fine Inisi managed to claim the ball before an infield pass to Poloniati, who ran in the score.
Seven minutes later fullback Taniela Filimone showed his speed and side stepping skills to score under the crossbar, giving Pellegrini an easier conversion from in front as Tonga claimed the lead 12-7.
Speedster winger John Tapueluelu went around out wide and ran in to score Tonga’s fourth try in the 17th minute, with Pellegrini adding another two points.
But then Romania returned to the scoring board with two tries off their lineout mauls in the 26th and 36th minutes.
That saw Iulian Hartig and Tudor Butnariu scoring tries, closing the gap for Romania to 17-19, before Pellegrini converted a penalty kick to lead 22-17 at half-time.
Trading blows in the second half
The second half proved to be a tit-for-tat affair as both teams traded blows.
Tonga resumed from where they left off in the first half, when game resumed after the break.
Pellegrini chipped over near the line from a turnover after the restart -and winger Anzelo Tuitavuki dived and caught the ball to score.
However, Romania continued to show their lineout maul dominance and in the 49th minute Logan Wiedner got over the line, with Conache’s conversion reducing the deficit to 29- 24.
Debutant Efitusi Maafu got over the Romanian line with his first try after he came on in the 56th minute.
That came at the back of Tonga’s own lineout maul.
Ten minutes later replacement prop Gheorghe Gajion got one back for the home team before Tonga replied through their own replacement prop Toma Taufa, as Tonga extended their lead to 43-31.
And as time ticked away, ill discipline saw Tonga give away three consecutive penalties, which Romania turned into seven points after Gajion dived over under the crossbar and in between the post after the final hooter had sounded.
Referee Agnus Gardner allowed for play to restart after that but the home team knocked on near halfway, in the last act of the game.
Match statistics showed Romania dominated the possession and territory.
They won the territorial battle 63% to Tonga’s 37%.
The side also claimed the upper hand in possession, having 58% of that compared to Tonga’s 42%.
Romania also were dominant with their mauling game, winning 12 mauls to Tonga’s three and claimed 73 metres while walking the mauls towards Tonga’s tryline.
Meanwhile, Manu Samoa will meet Zimbabwe on Sunday morning in their Nations Cup clash, while the Flying Fijians take on France in Lyon, also on Sunday morning, in the Nations Championship series.
