Dragons RFC wing Anzelo Tuitavuki made it six tries in six consecutive games as his second half score helped Tonga edge out hosts Romania 43-38 at the Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest in the highest-scoring match between the two rivals.
Both sides scored six tries apiece but Tonga’s success gave them a fourth win over the Oaks in seven meetings and marked their second victory from four rounds of the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup.
Tonga captain Fetuli Paea enthused: “Full credit to our boys. They dominated the middle and it's always tough against Romania in front of their crowd, but we got the win.”
The President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, met the teams ahead of kick-off and the Oaks were fast out of the blocks, Marius Simionescu showing some delightful footwork to weave his way over the line for the opening try.
Tonga fashioned a swift response through second-row Veikoso Poloniati, who dived over in the left corner after good work from winger Anzelo Tuitavuki.
The Tongans struck twice more in quick succession midway through the first half as full-back Taniela Filimone scythed through Romania’s rearguard before he turned provider for winger John Tapueluelu to cross in the right corner.
Yet Romania steadied themselves and hit back with two tries before the break as prop Iulian Hartig broke away from a rolling maul to score before hooker Tudor Butnariu did likewise. A scrum penalty from Patrick Pellegrini, who claimed an all-important 13 points with the boot, sent Tonga in at the break with a slender 22-17 lead and en-route to a first win in Romania since 2017.
Shortly after the interval, Pellegrini’s perfectly-weighted chip was caught and grounded by Anzelo Tuitavuki for Tonga’s fourth try to secure a bonus point. But Romania then scored a fourth try – and third from a maul – through second-row Logan Weidner as the try-fest continued.
Debutant Efitusi Maafu scored Tonga’s fifth try but again Romania responded, prop Gheorghe Gajion – a late call up to the bench after Jean Pierre Smith replaced Cosmin Manole – crossed for Romania. Tomaakino Taufa gave Tonga some breathing space with their sixth try but Gajion claimed his second and Romania’s sixth to set up a tense finale as the visitors held on.
Full credit to our boys. They dominated the middle and it's always tough against Romania in front of their crowd, but we got the win...
