Tonga

36 - 26

Full Time

Zimbabwe

Tonga vs Zimbabwe

Events

Commentary

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Starts 8th August 2026 - USA only.

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Ben Breakspear has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

Penalty Goal

Patrick Pellegrini kicks the penalty.

79'

Yellow Card

Jason Fraser (Zimbabwe) is shown a yellow card

77'

This is dangerous for the defence as Anzelo Tuitavuki bursts through to advance the Tonga attack.

77'

Mahonri Ngakuru comes on.

75'

Jimmy Tupou comes off.

75'

Conversion

Patrick Pellegrini has kicked a conversion.

73'

Try

Sione Tuipulotu scores the try from close range.

72'

Tonga make a substitution with Sekope Lopeti-Moli coming on.

69'

Tonga make a substitution with Samiuela Moli coming off.

69'

Tonga make a substitution with Sione Tuipulotu coming on.

69'

Tonga make a substitution with Semisi Paea coming off.

69'

Tonga make a substitution with Anzelo Tuitavuki coming on.

69'

Tonga make a substitution with John Tapueluelu coming off.

69'

Zimbabwe make a substitution with Tijde Visser coming on.

69'

Zimbabwe make a substitution with Victor Mupunga coming off.

69'

Conversion

The Tonga supporters go wild as William Havili successfully kicks the conversion.

69'

Try

Nobody could stop that maul! Samiuela Moli places the ball down for the try.

68'

Zimbabwe make a substitution with Bryan Chiang coming on.

68'

Zimbabwe make a substitution with Simba Mandioma coming off.

68'

Zimbabwe make a substitution with Dion Khumalo coming on.

68'

Zimbabwe make a substitution with Edward Sigauke coming off.

68'

Conversion

The Zimbabwe supporters go wild as Ian Prior successfully kicks the conversion.

65'

Try

Great hands by Zimbabwe leads to a try for Edward Sigauke

64'

Simba Mandioma sets up the try.

64'

The defensive line has been broken as Simba Mandioma goes through the gap.

64'

Zimbabwe sub Tadiwanashe Gwashu comes onto the field.

60'

Gary Porter departs for Zimbabwe.

60'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Ian Prior kicks the conversion.

59'

Yellow Card

Patrick Pellegrini (Tonga) is shown a yellow card

58'

Try

Zimbabwe are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Godfrey Muzanargwo touching down.

58'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Ian Prior kicks the conversion.

56'

Try

A penetrating move by Zimbabwe results in a try for Tinotenda Mavesere.

55'

That's a great try assist by Edward Sigauke.

55'

What a run here by Brandon Mudzekenyedzi as they get over the gainline!

54'

Siaosi Nginingini comes on.

53'

Sonatane Takulua comes off.

53'

Solomone Kata comes on.

53'

Telusa Veainu comes off.

53'

What a run here by Victor Mupunga as they get over the gainline!

50'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Paula Latu getting some game time.

49'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Atu Moli being replaced.

49'

Zimbabwe decide to make a substitution, with Bruce Houston getting some game time.

49'

Zimbabwe decide to make a substitution, with Kudzai Mashawi being replaced.

49'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Siegfried Fisi'ihoi getting some game time.

49'

Tonga decide to make a substitution, with Fatongia Paea being replaced.

49'

Taniela Filimone makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

47'

Zimbabwe decide to make a substitution, with Tyrone Gombe getting some game time.

47'

Zimbabwe decide to make a substitution, with Hilton Mudariki being replaced.

47'

Zimbabwe decide to make a substitution, with Simba Siraha getting some game time.

45'

Zimbabwe decide to make a substitution, with Dylan Utete being replaced.

45'

Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

44'

Zimbabwe make a substitution with Cleopas Kundiona coming on.

43'

Zimbabwe make a substitution with Michael Kumbirai coming off.

43'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Conversion

Patrick Pellegrini does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

38'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Tonga as Fine Inisi goes over.

37'

That's a great try assist by Sonatane Takulua.

37'

Yellow Card

Telusa Veainu (Tonga) is shown a yellow card

32'

Trouble here as Hilton Mudariki breaches the defence.

32'

The ball swings towards the posts but floats to the right, Ian Prior will have to re-adjust the radar.

31'

Try

It's going to take a miracle to stop this Zimbabwe maul...no miracles today as Simba Mandioma powers over.

30'

Patrick Pellegrini curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

28'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Fatongia Paea scores from close range.

27'

Conversion

Patrick Pellegrini makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

24'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Tonga is finished off by Telusa Veainu

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Telusa Veainu bursts through to advance the Tonga attack.

23'

That's a great try assist by John Tapueluelu.

23'

The defensive line has been broken as Tinotenda Mavesere goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee Ben Breakspear blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Tonga v Zimbabwe 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Sat 4th July 2026, 03:15pm PDT 
  
 Dick's Sporting Goods Park 
  
 RugbyPass TV 
  
 Ben Breakspear

Points Flow Chart

Tonga win +10

Time in lead

Mins in lead

58%

% Of Game In Lead

52%

Possession Last 10 min

48%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Pellegrini

36 - 24

79'

Fraser

77'

33 - 24

Pellegrini

33 - 24

73'

Tuipulotu

31 - 24

72'

Havili

26 - 24

69'

Moli

24 - 24

68'

Prior

65'

19 - 24

Sigauke

64'

19 - 22

Pellegrini

19 - 17

58'

Muzanargwo

58'

19 - 17

Prior

56'

19 - 12

Mavesere

55'

19 - 10

Half Time

Pellegrini

19 - 5

38'

Inisi

17 - 5

37'

Veainu

12 - 5

32'

Mandioma

30'

12 - 5

Paea

12 - 0

27'

Pellegrini

7 - 0

24'

Veainu

5 - 0

23'

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.9

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

4.3

Entries

Attack Profile

Tonga

Zimbabwe

More Less

Defence Profile

Tonga

Zimbabwe

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

68%

62%

3-6 secs

26%

27%

6+ secs

11%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

66'

70'

77'

78'

Tonga

Zimbabwe

Tonga vs Zimbabwe Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Tonga face off against Zimbabwe in World Rugby Nations Cup Round 1 on Sat 4th July 2026 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 23:15 and is broadcast on RugbyPass TV. In South Africa it’s at 00:15 SAST on RugbyPass TV, 10:15 NZST on RugbyPass TV in New Zealand, 08:15 AEST on RugbyPass TV in Australia and 15:15 EST on RugbyPass TV in the US.

Tonga won the last encounter but Tonga are in the best form of their last 5 games.

World Rankings

Heading into the fixture, Tonga sits at 19 in the World Rugby Rankings, while Zimbabwe holds 25.

The two sides are separated by 6 places in the rankings with Tonga in position 19 and Zimbabwe in position 25 as such Tonga are favourites on paper.

Tonga vs Zimbabwe Squads

The official squads for Tonga vs Zimbabwe will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.