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Tonga improved to 2-2 in the Nations Cup with a dramatic 43-38 victory Romania in Bucharest, mainly thanks to the creativity of playmaker Patrick Pellegrini.
The 10th’s brave tactical strike inspired three of Tonga’s six tries and his goal kick made the difference in a match that also saw Romania score six times.
Romania enjoyed a hot start in attack, breaking the line in the second minute before desperate defending denied them. They were back on the Tongan 22 moments later when a kick was scored and Marius Simionescu proceeded to weave his way through the gap and get to the line.
Tonga had yet to get a chance to attack when Romania spilled the ball on halfway in the seventh minute, leading to Siegfried Fisiihoi’s storming run from broken play. The prop was pulled five meters from the line, but Pellegrini’s cross found the overlap on the wing, which Veikoso Poloniati converted for Tonga’s opening score.
The first Romanian clash indicated that the Europeans had the upper hand, but the contest was even. The hosts’ first line-up of the evening was selected, but Tonga were then unable to disrupt Tudor Butnariu’s pinpoint bowling until much later in the Test.
In the 16th minute, Tonga had a second try with the outstanding agility of fullback Taniela Filimone, who broke through the line and had the pace to get past the last defender to score.
There were a handful of strong tackles from the Tongan defense in the first quarter, with John Tapueluelu’s 18th-minute strike causing the ball to hit the deck and the winger then pouncing to pieces. Another masterful strike from Pellegrini found Anzel Tuitavuki perfectly, and suddenly the game was back inside Romania’s 22. A clever pass allowed the visitors to capitalize on another overlap as the ball returned to Tapueluelu’s wing, and he finished the play he had started a minute earlier.
By the 20th minute the score was 19-7 in favor of the Tongans, but Romania began to reverse the momentum with some more of the attacking form they had shown in the opening minutes. In the 25th minute, Iulian Hartig crossed the line.
Tonga crossed the line with his own kick shortly after play resumed, but play was called back for obstruction. Romania found their recipe for success and went right back to it on their next chance, scoring again with a try from Butnariu.
Pellegrini would have the final say of the half though, with a penalty extending Tonga’s lead to 22-17 at the break.
Poloniati had the first big play of the second half, stealing an open ball behind Romania’s first-choice kick-off. Lotu Inisi provided the strength to get on the front foot and again it was Pellegrini’s boot that set up the try for Tuitavuki.
Romania were denied another turnover attempt due to an illegal Tongan defensive act, but were not stopped with their next shot on the line. The theme of Tonga’s quick response continued when debutant Efi Maafu came on in the 54th minute and immediately scored, crashing onto the back of a Tongan roll.
Trailing by 12 with 16 minutes remaining, Romania had a lineout inside Tonga’s stolen 22, but were fouled after Tonga broke and quickly made their way into goal range before Gheorghe Gajion scored an opportunistic effort just under the post.
Tonga’s lead was cut to five when they conceded back-to-back set penalties and Romania’s attack came alive with Taylor Gontineac hitting back with a contested strike. The game turned frantic when Tonga was penalized for a high cross, but Simionescu missed the touch with his shot. A few seconds later, Filimone made a controversial shot and broke, only for Romania to make a steal and immediately knock the ball into the foot of the arm.
Tonga’s final points of the night came from Toma Tauf in the 70th minute, leaving Romania with 10 minutes to score twice. Six minutes of tough Tongan defending later, the hosts were held over the line. With 35 seconds left on the clock, Gajion powered in for his second try.
Gabriel Rupanu’s quick and successful conversion ensured there was time for the restart, but the full-back then sealed his side’s fate with a wrist shot 45 seconds later. Tonga won 43-38.
You can watch highlights and full Test replays, as well as more Nations Cup action RugbyPass TV.
