After facing the narrow, almost timid attack of of Russia for the best part of last week’s test, the Eagles were immediately put under pressure in the wide spaces as Tonga looked to play the game with real width. The big runners made dents from left to right, and then back left to find Fetu’u Vainikolo who finished well in the corner. Early moments still but the US looked a bit shell shocked.
Aimless kicking began to feature prominently for the Americans, and then some bad luck as first chief lineout target Brian Doyle went off with a shoulder injury, and then Andrew Suniula’s scoring pass to Luke Hume went forward when the overlap was on. Hume looked the only player willing to take on the Tongan line with his quick stepping, and after a couple nifty half-breaks the Tongans were penalised and Zach Pangelinan kicked his first international points, much to his side’s delight.
The Eagles at last decided to keep ball in hand, and controlled possession for nearly the entire second quarter. Pangelinan missed a very kickable penalty but after repeated pick and drives Paul Emerick offloaded to Suniula, who made up for his earlier mistake and broke two tackles before finding Robbie Shaw in support for his third try in two games. The conversion put the difference at an even 5 points at halftime.
With the momentum firmly in their favour the second half began as the first ended, and after Fangatapu Apikotoa was binned for an intentional knock on, Pangelinan extended the lead to eight with his third successful kick of the game. Instead of exploiting the man advantage, however, the Eagles took their foot off the gas and allowed the Tongans right back in the game. Vungakoto Lilo kicked a penalty goal and only just back at full strength they were in under the sticks. A great break from Taniela Moa went through three pairs of hands with big lock Joe Tuineau finishing off a wonderful try. Apikotoa converted to give Tonga the lead heading into the final quarter.
With both sides seemingly determined to gift as many opportunities as possible to the other, it was a bit of brilliance from Apikotoa as a deft between-the-legs flick pass went straight to Sione Piukala who powered over from thirty metres for the decisive try. Alipate Fatafehi was binned for a dangerous tackle a minute later but the game was already out of reach.
The coaches of both sides will have much to talk about in a game defined by poor decision making. While it was a few moments of magic that made the difference in the end, there were multiple scoring opportunities had either team chosen to take advantage of them. The Americans now move on to Bucharest to face the Romanians, while Tonga head to Edinburgh to play Scotland in a week’s time.
SCORING
02 mins – Fetu’u Vainikolo try 5-0
29 mins – Zach Pangelinan pen 5-3
38 mins – Robbie Shaw try 5-8
39 mins – Zach Pangelinan con 5-10
45 mins – Zach Pangelinan pen 5-13
51 mins – Vungakoto Lilo pen 8-13
60 mins – Joe Tuineau try 13-13
61 mins – Fangatapu Apikotoa con 15-13
75 mins – Sione Piukala try 20-13
76 mins – Fangatapu Apikotoa con 22-13
CARDS
44 mins – Fangatapu Apikotoa yellow (intentional knock on)
78 mins – Alipate Fatafehi yellow (dangerous tackle)
TONGA
Vungakoto Lilo; Viliami Helu, Sukanaivalu Hufanga (Alipate Fatafehi 66), Sione Piukala, Fetu’u Vainikolo; Fangatapu Apikotoa, Taniela Moa (Viliame Iongi 78); Sona Taumalolo, Elvis Taione, Halani Aulika (Tevita Mailau 51); Joe Tuineau, Lua Lokotui (Josh Afu 72); Steve Mafi (Hale T-Pole 61), Nili Latu (capt.), Viliame Ma’afu.
UNITED STATES
Zach Pangelinan; Cornelius Dirksen, Paul Emerick (Roland Suniula 66), Andrew Suniula, Luke Hume; Toby L’Estrange, Robbie Shaw (Mike Petri 68); Shawn Pittman, Chris Biller, Eric Fry; Brian Doyle (Inaki Basauri 17), Louis Stanfill; Scott LaValla, John Quill (Peter Dahl 57), Todd Clever (capt.).
