Tonga dominant over USA Eagles

 

The Tongans lined up with Sione Kalamafoni and 'Aleki Lutui in their ranks, whilst Sila Puafisi began on the bench.

 

In front of a bumper crowd of 8,949 under the Kingsholm lights, the Gloucester public showed the world, yet again, the appetite for international rugby across the city.

 

It was the men from the States that started brightest, fullback Folau Niua took the ball on the loop, and showed a great dummy to break through, and fed his winger Tim Stanfill who had a simple run to the line.

 

With Lutui and Kalamafoni to the fore in the physical exchanges, the Tongans were looking very threatening on the flanks, with Vungakoto Lilo, David Halaifonua and Fetu'u Vainikolo all gaining metres for fun.

 

The Pacific Islanders hit back through flyhalf Kurt Morath's eighth minute penalty, and then took the lead as Lutui's half break and deft offload was perfect for Vainikolo to saunter on to and then power home from long range for a super score.

 

Morath then added a pair of penalties in the second quarter, but it was left to the Eagles to have the last say of the first period, flank John Quill finishing off a strong maul.

 

The game was hugely entertaining, 13th in the world (Tonga) were playing a great brand of rugby against the 16th (USA), both off the back of wins last weekend.

 

But the second half was less of a contest, the Tongans delivering a blistering spell in the third quarter, running in three tries in quick succession to secure the win.

 

Firstly, No.8 Viliame Ma'afu barged over from short range after scrum half Sonatane Takulua had gone close from a quick tap.

 

Almost immediately after, Vungakoto Lilo finished off a sharp break from David Halaifonua to skip home from a brilliantly timed offload, before full back Halaifonua got a score of his own from distance.

 

The Tongans were rampant, and it was a hugely open game, perfectly fitting with the event and the game.

 

Both sides were trying to finish on a high, and the final score had to wait until the last minute to arrive. Tonga's rolling maul allowed skipper Nili Latu to dive over gleefully.

 

 

Tries: Vainikolo, Ma'afu, Lilo, Halaifonua, Latu 

Cons: Morath 2, Fosita 

Pens: Morath 3

 

Tries: Stanfill, Quill 

Con: Niua 

 

Yellow card: LaValla (USA)

 

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 David Halaifonua, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Hermani Paea, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Nili Latu (captain), 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Joe Tu'ineau, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Paea Fa'anunu, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Tevita Mailau.

Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Sione Lea, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Lisiate Fa'aoso, 20 Hale T Pole, 21 Taniela Moa, 22 Latiume Fostia, 23 Otulea Katoa.

 

USA: 15 Folau Niua, 14 Tim Maupin, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Tim Stanfill, 10 Shalom Suniula, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Matt Trouville, 7 John Quill, 6 Scott Lavalla (captain), 5 Greg Peterson, 4 John Cullen, 3 Mate Moeakiola, 2 Phil Thiel, 1 Nick Wallace.

Replacements: 16 Tom Coolican, 17 Angus MacLellan, 18 Benjamin Tarr, 19 Tai Tuisamoa, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Todd Clever, 22 Thretton Palamo, 23 Ronald McLean.

 

Venue: Kingsholm, Gloucester

Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Lloyd Linton (Scotland)

TMO: RFU Appointment