In a disappointing match on Sunday morning (NZ time), the ‘Ikale Tahi struggled in the final 20 minutes, relinquishing a 15-11 lead to lose 25-15 to Romania in Bucharest. This result was especially disheartening for the island team, who had previously overthrown the Romanians with a convincing 45-24 victory at the Rugby World Cup in France just a year ago.
Head coach Tevita Tu’ifua expressed his disappointment regarding the team’s performance, particularly in their first match of a three-game European tour. Leading by four points, the Tongan side faltered due to fundamental errors and penalties, which Romania capitalized on to score 14 points in the closing minutes.
One pivotal moment was a knock-on from a defensive lineout, allowing Romanian winger Tevita Manumua to score near the corner flag, giving Romania a narrow 16-15 lead. Although the Tongans had opportunities to reclaim the lead, they opted for a kick-out and then a quick tap that ended in a penalty for holding onto the ball. Shortly after, they lost possession close to the try line on another attempt.
Ultimately, three successful penalty kicks from Romania sealed their victory. Tu’ifua recognized the need for improvement, stating, “We gave that away as we made too many mistakes. But we will learn and move on to the next one.” With an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, the team is focusing on developing young talent by providing them with valuable game time.
In contrast, the Flying Fijians are regaining strength as they prepare for their match against Wales in Cardiff on Monday morning (NZ time), welcoming several key European players back into the lineup. Captain Waisea Nayacalevu, along with Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova, and Jiuta Wainiqolo, will all start after missing the previous game against Scotland due to club commitments.
Both teams are demonstrating resilience and growth as they navigate their respective challenges, creating hope for stronger performances in their upcoming matches.
This serves as a reminder that setbacks can lead to learning opportunities, particularly for the Tongan side as they build towards their future goals.
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