Tonga edge Eagles in Spain

The USA’s troubles against Tonga continue, as the Ikale Tahi took a narrow 20-17 result over the Americans at the neutral venue of San Sebastián on Saturday. A difficult first half saw the Tongans take control but the Eagles roared back to draw the scores level before a Tane Takulua penalty goal proved the decisive points ahead of a nail-biting final quarter.

It was a troubling start for the Eagles as a dominant Tongan scrum provided the perfect platform for Telusa Veainu to take a flat ball and weave past three defenders for a fine individual score. The second try was a long-range effort started by Jack Ram well into his own half. A clean break downfield by the flanker saw him caught by the defense but an inch-perfect offload just before he was driven into touch found Fetu’u Vainikolo and the flying winger did the rest. Takulua converted both scores with a Will Holder penalty goal sandwiched in between.

Tonga looked like the might run away with in when captain Siale Piutau raced over on the blindside for what seemed to be try number three, but it was called back for a senseless penalty against Daniel Faleafa at the breakdown and the Eagles were let off the hook. The relief was just enough to spur the Americans forward and they worked their way into scoring position. After several phases Nate Augspurger sniffed out a gap on the blindside and handed a short ball to Martin Iosefo for a vital score. Takulua dampened celebrations with a penalty on the stroke of half-time but at 17-10 the USA were back in the fight.

Showing renewed vigor the Eagles came out fired up in the second half. The set piece was still proving troublesome but their phase play was improving and back in Tongan territory they found the try line for a second time. Big Joe Taufete’e took a half-gap and pumped his legs to within a yard of the line, reaching out for the score with Holder’s conversion drawing the scores level.

If the Tongans were frustrated at their earlier missed opportunity, the Eagles were soon to be doubly-so, with two potential scores falling foul of the rule book. A huge breakout from inside their own 22 saw debutante center Marcel Brache tear up the field but Samu Manoa’s linking pass to Andrew Durutalo drifted just forward with nothing but grass in front of the no8. Soon after it was Brache again slicing through to put Madison Hughes away but the referee called for the TMO and the replay confirmed that Taufete’e had impeded a Tongan defender. Instead of a try a penalty was awarded for obstruction and American fans let out a sigh of frustration.

A soft penalty at the breakdown handed Takulua his chance as the clock ticked over the hour mark, and the Tongan scrumhalf struck it true from 30 meters straight in front of the posts. Despite the best efforts of both sides it proved to be the final score in the match with neither able to string together a decisive move in the final quarter.

While the match certainly marked an improvement for the Eagles over the dismal outing in Bucharest, they will still be bitterly disappointed to end their year on a loss in a game that was there for the winning. They now turn their attention towards the Americas Rugby Championship which kicks off in less than three months time. Tonga meanwhile have one more game in 2016 as they travel to Italy to face an Azzurri team brimming with confidence after their stunning upset of the Springboks earlier on Saturday.

 

SCORING

TONGA 20
Tries – T. Veainu (10’), F. Vainikolo (22’)
Cons – T. Takulua 2 (11’, 23’)
Pens – T. Takulua 2 (40’, 62’)
Yellow cards – S. Puafisi (69’)

USA 17
Tries – M. Iosefo (36’), J. Taufete’e (51’)
Cons – W. Holder 2 (37’, 52’)
Pens – W. Holder (15’)

 

TEAMS

TONGA
1 Tevita Mailau (17 Paea Fa’anunu 52’), 2 Paul Ngauamo (16 Elvis Taione 60’), 3 Siua Halanukonuka (18 Sila Puafisi 52’), 4 Steve Mafi, 5 Joe Tu’ineau, 6 Daniel Faleafa (3 Siua Halanukonuka 74’-79’), 7 Jack Ram (20 Kotoni Ale 63’), 8 Tevita Koloamatangi (19 Valentino Mapapalangi 74’), 9 Tane Takulua, 10 Kali Hala, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 12 Latiume Fosita, 13 Siale Piutau (capt.) (22 Tevita Taufu’i 55’), 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 15 Telusa Veainu (23 Tevita Halaifonua HT)

Not used: 21 Tomasi Palu

USA
1 Joe Taufete’e, 2 James Hilterbrand, 3 Chris Baumann, 4 Cam Dolan, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Samu Manoa (20 Langi Haupeakui 53’), 7 Tony Lamborn, 8 Andrew Durutalo (19 Al McFarland 74’), 9 Nate Augspurger, 10 Will Holder (21 Mike Te’o 68’), 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 Marcel Brache, 13 Thretton Palamo (22 Matai Leuta 62’), 14 Blaine Scully (capt.), 15 Madison Hughes

Not used: 16 Pat Blair, 17 Angus MacLellan, 18 Dino Waldren, 23 JP Eloff

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Nick Briant (NZRU)
Assistants: Alhambra Nievas (FER) & Iñigo Atorrasagasti (FER)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

 

Attendance: 12,500