The ‘Ikale Tahi faced a tough defeat against Romania, losing 25-15 after leading 15-11 for most of the match. The game took place in Bucharest early Sunday morning (NZ Time) and marked a disappointing start to their European tour. Just a year prior, the island nation had a dominant victory over the Romanians, winning 45-24 during the Rugby World Cup in France.
Head coach Tevita Tu’ifua expressed his disappointment, noting the collapse in the last 20 minutes due to basic mistakes that resulted in critical penalties. This allowed Romania to capitalize, scoring 14 points in quick succession to seal the victory. A pivotal moment came when a defensive lineout error led to a try by Romanian winger Tevita Manumua, shifting the game in favor of the hosts at 16-15.
Despite having opportunities to regain the lead, the Tongans squandered two chances near the try line, including a penalty that went awry, leading to a series of successful penalty kicks by the Romanian players that secured their win.
“It’s not the start we wanted,” said Tu’ifua, acknowledging the setbacks but emphasizing that the team would learn from the experience and prepare for upcoming matches. The focus for ‘Ikale Tahi remains on developing their squad as they build towards the qualifiers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
In contrast, the Flying Fijians are gearing up for their match against Wales in Cardiff, having reintegrated several experienced players from Europe. Key players, including captain Waisea Nayacalevu and other notable rugby stars, return to the starting lineup, aiming to turn their fortunes around following a loss to Scotland.
This article highlights the challenges faced by the Tongan rugby team while providing insight into the team’s growth and strategic future focus. With a commitment to learning from defeats and integrating fresh talent, there’s hope for a stronger performance in their next matches. The Flying Fijians’ ability to bounce back with their seasoned players suggests an exciting future ahead in their upcoming games.
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