Uruguay lose historic first test match against Tonga

A historic first meeting between Uruguay and Tonga took place on Saturday. Played at the neutral venue of the Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest, Romania, the Pacific Island team were 43-19 winners over Los Teros.

The match gave Uruguay a much-needed test match against a Pacific Island country. It is a different style of opponent and one that will help Los Teros prepare for the World Cup. Uruguay will compete in Pool A against Namibia and Italy as well as what will be first ever matches against France and New Zealand.

Of note is the large number of New Zealand players on Tonga’s roster. Former All Blacks Vaea Fifita, Augustine Pulu, George Moala and Malakai Fekitoa all started against Uruguay. New Zealanders Zane Kapeli, Sam Moli, Ben Tameifuna, William Havili and Anzelo Tuitavuki also all started for Tonga as did Australian Afusipa Taumoepeau.

Tonga’s first try of the match went to Solomone Funaki. The N8 scored after Tonga won an attacking lineout on Uruguay’s 5 meter line. A lineout to maul move resulted in a try with a handy kicking position for William Havili.

A try that looked like something from the All Blacks came next. Anzelo Tuitavuki bumped off Juan Manuel Alonso’s attempted tackle to break clear. Rodrigo Silva brought him to ground but recycled ball saw former All Black Vaea Fifita punching through to score.

Uruguay opened their scoring with an impressive try of their own. A sharp, and deadly accurate, pass to the left from Felipe Etcheverry put Felipe Arcos Pérez through a gap. He ran 20 meters up field before being brought to ground. While ding so he off-loaded to Manuel Ardao who was tackled a meter short. Quick play saw captain Andrés Vilaseca dotting down in the try zone.

Augustine Pulu responded for Tonga. A fortunate bounce and a what appeared to be a knock-on aided the men in red as the former All Black’s try stood. While it was a tough one to accept, Uruguay were guilty of not playing to the whistle.

The South Americans regathered to bring together their forces and score next. A team effort saw a rolling maul awarded with a penalty try and Los Teros will back in the game trailing by one score. Tonga ended the half with their fourth try. Fullback Afusipa Taumoepeau scored in the left corner.

Most of the third quarter was scoreless. This ended in the 57th minute with Ben Tameifuna powering over. The New Zealander showed how hard he is to bring to ground from close range. Fetuli Paea and Sefo Sakalia added final quarter tries for Tonga.

Uruguay’s second half return was one try. The scorer was Baltazar Amaya who backed-up his double against Romania the week before. The score came with Uruguay making Tonga believe they were going for a forwards move. The defense followed enabling the ball to be spun and Amaya to score comfortably.

The final whistle ended the match and the November Internationals for both competitors. Uruguay and Tonga will now focus on the World Cup. Both will be targeting wins at the 20-team tournament in France next September and October.

 

SCORING

TONGA 43
Try – S Funaki (8′), V Fifita (16′), A Pulu (25′), A Taumoepeau (36′), B Tameifuna (57′), F Paea (70′), S Sakalia (74′)
Con – W Havili – 3/5 (9′, 17′, 26′), O Mausia – 1/2 (70′)
YC – B Tameifuna (33′), G Moala (48′), Z Kapeli (67′)

URUGUAY 19
Try – A Vilaseca (19′), Penalty Try (32′), B Amaya (65′)
Con – F Etcheverry – 1/2 (67′)
RC – JM Alonso (69′)

TEAMS

TONGA
1 David Lolohea, 2 Sam Moli, 3 Ben Tameifuna (capt.), 4 Halaleva Fifita, 5 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 6 Vaea Fifita, 7 Solomone Funaki, 8 Zane Kapeli, 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 William Havili, 11 Solomone Kata, 12 Georga Moala, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 14 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 15 Afusipa Taumoepeau

Replacements: 16 Sefo Sakalia, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Joe Apikotoa, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Sione Havili Talitui, 21 Manu Paea, 22 Otumaka Mausia, 23 Fetuli Paea

 

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Guillermo Pujadas, 3 Ignacio Peculo, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Eric Dosantos, 6 Lucas Bianchi, 7 Santiago Civetta, 8 Manuel Ardao, 9 Tomás Inciarte, 10 Felipe Etcheverry, 11 Juan Manuel Alonso, 12 Andrés Vilaseca (capt.), 13 Felipe Arcos Pérez, 14 Baltazar Amaya, 15 Rodrigo Silva

Replacements: 16 Germán Kessler, 17 Juan Echeverría, 18 Reinaldo Piussi, 19 Diego Magno, 20 Felipe Aliaga, 21 Manuel Diana, 22 Santiago Álvarez, 23 Juan Zuccarino

MATCH OFICIALS
Referee: Craig Evans (UK)
Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (UK); Luc Ramos (FR)
TMO: Sean Brickell (UK)