By Tom Jeffreys
Tonga……………………………………………45
Tries: Kata 11, 66; Moala 15, Taumoepeau 22, Vailanu 49, Ahki 62, Taumoefolau 71
Conversions: Havili 13, 17, 23, 51, 63
Romania…………………………………………24
Tries: Boboc 30, Surugiu 36, Simionescu 55
Conversions: Conache 32, 37, 57
Penalties: Conache 19
Tonga had to work hard to overcome a resilient Romania side and claim their only win of Rugby World Cup 2023.
With both sides drawn in perhaps the most difficult pool in tournament history and therefore each without a win, the penultimate match of the pool stage was far from a dead rubber. Tonga, seeking to continue hard-earned momentum gained in an obstinate display against South Africa last week, scored seven tries to finish on a high.
However, it was not without difficult as 19th ranked Romania were finally able to express themselves at the end of a brutal campaign. Seeking to avoid the unenviable titles of lowest scoring team, and worst points difference in World Cup history, The Oaks defied expectation to produce a first half comeback and score three tries.
The game, however, escaped the men in yellow by the hour mark as Tonga scored three tries in the last 15 minutes to seal an unexpectedly challenging win.
A sense of familiarity quickly dawned upon the game for Romania as Salamone Kata opened the scoring for Tonga after 11 minutes. He was the grateful recipient of Salesi Piutau unleashing his trademark goose-step to wriggle in between two defenders and release a sumptuous offload to the right winger.
Just four minutes later, centre George Moala shrugged off two defenders to score an all-too-easy try under the sticks.
The feeling of Tongan inevitability continued despite a Romanian penalty ending a 220 minute scoreless streak. Big carries from Moala and Ben Tameifuna gave Sione Talitui the platform to brutally bump off Marius Simionescu and carry within metres of the try line. Scrum half Sonatane Takulua recycled quickly to give Afusipa Taumoepeau a walk in and a William Havili conversion made the scores 21-3.
However, Romania kicked off a sensationally unlikely first half comeback when a clever line out move saw first-time captain Ovidiu Cojocaru burst down the right flank.
With the ball recycled quickly from his supporting forwards, Cristi Boboc crashed over from close range to score Romania’s first try since the opening seconds of their first game.
From the resultant kick off came the match’s most controversial moment, with Halaleva Fifita being sent to the TMO bunker for a high tackle. Despite clear contact to Florian Rosu’s head, Fifita was spared a red card, deemed to have avoided a high degree of danger.
Nonetheless, Romania capitalised on their man advantage, with a rugby romance story to remember. On his 104th and last test match, Florin Surugiu burst down the right hand side, pacing past Tongan defenders to score. Another Conache conversion took Romania within four points at 21-17 going into half time.
The game’s breathless pace continued in the second half as Tonga, back to their full compliment, found the corner and easily drove over, with Sione Vailanu reaping the rewards and Havili converting again.
The bonus point try, and yet another moment in which it felt as though Tonga would run away with the game, was again refuted by the resurgent Romanians. With the ball worked to the right wing well, Nicholas Onutu grubbered excellently for Simionescu to score, no player more deserving.
Unlike the first half, however, Romania were unable to tighten the pressure and Tonga soon came back with their fifth and sixth tries in the 62nd and 66th minutes. Pita Ahki showed his pace to arc in on the right hand side, then Piutau selflessly released Kata into the corner following a well-executed backs move. With Havili shooting wide for the first time on the second conversion, the score was 40-24.
An understandably jaded Romania team were reduced to 14 when Conache was sin binned for a cynical penalty, and soon after 20-year-old Kyren Taumoefolau profited from an ambitious Romanian attempt to play out from their own 22 to acrobatically finish in the corner.
An entertaining last passage of play saw Romania empty the tanks to prevent another Tonga score, meaning the full time whistle signalled a 45-24 win for Tonga. A fitting end to a tough tournament for both sides where they were both able to break free from their restraints and play some entertaining rugby.
TONGA: Piutau; Kata, Moala, Ahki, Taumoepeau; Havili, Takulua (capt); Fisi’ihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna; H. Fifita, Coleman; S. Paea, Talitui, Vailanu.
Replacements: Anga’aelangi, Latu, Tokolahi, Mafi, Finau; M. Paea, Pellegrini, Taumoefolau
ROMANIA: Simionescu; Onutu, Manumua, Tangimana, Sikuea; Conache, Surugiu; Savin, Cojocaru, Gordas, Motoc, Iftimiciuc, Rosu, Boboc, Gorin.
Replacements: Irimescu, Hartig, Burtila, Iancu, Stratila, Rupanu, Bucur, Graure
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
Star Man: George Moala (Tonga)
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