Tonga were forced to replace prop Tau Kolomatangi on the eve of their Test against the All Blacks after he was found to have previously played for Hong Kong. Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)
RWC results and highlights: USA 19-30 Tonga
Tonga enjoyed a final flourish at the Rugby World Cup as they beat the United States 31-19 to maintain their 20-year dominance over the Eagles on Sunday.
Tonga were forced to replace prop Tau Kolomatangi on the eve of their Test against the All Blacks after he was found to have previously played for Hong Kong. Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)
The Pacific side fumbled a series of chances and weathered a late fightback before completing their first victory of the tournament in a tough Pool C.
Captain Siale Piutau, playing his last Test, was among the scorers as Tonga brought up their ninth straight win over America since they lost their first meeting in 1999.
Tonga dominated territory and possession in the first half but they were 12-7 down at the break after poor decisions and handling errors denied them a series of tries.
James Faiva fended off two defenders in a typically adventurous break to create Tonga‘s opening score on 16 minutes, setting up prop forward Siegfried Fisi’ihoi who barrelled over from a maul.
Rugby World Cup 2019 highlights: USA vs Tonga
Additional reporting by AFP/World Rugby.
