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Tonga end World Cup on high with seven-try win over Romania
By PA
Tonga beat Romania 45-24 in the final Pool B game at the World Cup.
The teams came into the Lille clash without a point between them but the Pacific Islanders finished strongly to ensure they exited the competition with a win.
Although Alin Conache missed an early penalty for Romania, Tonga started with purpose and were rewarded through tries from Solomone Kata and George Moala, the latter of which was converted by William Havili.
Conache kicked a penalty to make it 14-3 to Tonga after 20 minutes but Afusipa Taumoepeau went over soon after and Havili again converted.
However, Romania scored a try of their own in the 31st minute when Cristi Boboc touched down after a well worked line-out. Conache converted to reduce the deficit to 11 points.
After Tonga’s Leva Fifita was shown yellow for a shoulder charge, Romania used the extra man to score again.
Florin Surugiu, in his last international game before retiring, broke away after a scrum and evaded the defenders to cross the whitewash. Conache again converted and the deficit was just four points.
Ten minutes after the turnaround Tonga had breathing space when Sione Vailanu’s try was converted by Havili.
However, battling Romania responded well with a try from Marius Simionescu. Conache again added the extras and the gap was down to four points again.
That was as good as it got for them though, as Pita Ahki crossed for a try which Havili again converted with 18 minutes remaining.
Four minutes later Kata had his second try and, after Conache had been sin-binned, Kyren Taumoefolau got Tonga’s seventh try to round off the scoring in an entertaining contest.
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Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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