Patrick Pellegrini the difference-maker as Tonga survive Romania scare

Tonga improved to 2-2 in the Nations Cup with a dramatic 43-38 win over Romania in Bucharest, largely thanks to the creativity of playmaker Patrick Pellegrini.

The execution of the No.10’s audacious tactical kicking inspired three of Tonga’s six tries, and his goal-kicking made the difference in a match where Romania also dotted down six times.

Romania enjoyed a hot start in attack, breaking the line in the second minute before a desperate defence rejected them. They were back in the Tongan 22 moments later when a chip kick was collected, and Marius Simionescu proceeded to slip through a gap and reach the line.

Tonga were yet to get an opportunity to attack when Romania spilled the ball on halfway in the seventh minute, leading to a storming Siegfried Fisiihoi break from broken play. The prop was dragged down five metres from the line, but a well-placed crossfield kick from Pellegrini found an overlap on the wing, which Veikoso Poloniati exploited for Tonga’s opening score.

Romania’s first scrum suggested the Europeans had the upper hand, but the contest evened out from there. The hosts’ first lineout of the night was picked off, but Tonga were then unable to disrupt Tudor Butnariu’s precise throwing until much later in the Test.

By the 16th minute, Tonga had their second try via a superb piece of agility from fullback Taniela Filimone, who broke the line and had the pace to swerve around the final defender and score.

There were a handful of powerful hits from the Tongan defence in the opening quarter, and a John Tapueluelu hit in the 18th minute saw the ball hit the deck, with the winger then diving on the scraps. Another masterful kick from Pellegrini sat up perfectly for Anzelo Tuitavuki, and suddenly play was back inside Romania’s 22. Clever passing ensured the visitors exploited another overlap when the ball swung back to Tapueluelu’s wing, and he finished the play he had started a minute earlier.

The score was 19-7 in favour of the Tongans by the 20th minute, but Romania started to reverse the momentum with some more of the attacking form they showed in the opening minutes. In the 25th minute, it was a rolling maul that got Iulian Hartig over the line.

Tonga got over the line from a rolling maul of their own shortly after play resumed, but the play was called back for obstruction. Romania had found their recipe for success and went straight back to it with their next opportunity, scoring again with a try by Butnariu.

Pellegrini would have the final say of the half, though, with a penalty extending Tonga’s lead to 22-17 at the break.

Poloniati had the first big play of the second half, stealing an exposed ball behind Romania’s first ruck from the kick-off. Lotu Inisi provided the power to get his side on the front foot, and once again it was Pellegrini’s boot that set up a try for Tuitavuki.

Romania were denied another rolling maul try by an illegal Tongan defensive act, but wouldn’t be stopped with their next crack at the line. The theme of Tonga responding swiftly continued when debutant Efi Maafu took the field in the 54th minute and scored immediately, crashing over at the back of a Tongan rolling maul.

Trailing by 12 with 16 minutes remaining, Romania had a lineout inside Tonga’s 22 stolen, but executed after Tonga’s clearance and quickly powered their way into scoring range before Gheorghe Gajion scored an opportunistic try right under the posts.

Tonga’s lead was down to five when they conceded successive set-piece penalties and Romania’s attack roared to life, with Taylor Gontineac winning back a contestable kick. Play got frantic when Tonga were penalised for a high tackle, but Simionescu missed touch with his kick. Filimone claimed a contestable kick seconds later and ignited a break, only for Romania to make a breakdown steal and immediately knock the ball on at the base of the ruck.

Tonga’s final points of the night came from Toma Taufa in the 70th minute, leaving Romania 10 minutes to score twice. Six minutes of tough Tongan defence later, the hosts were held up over the line. With 35 seconds remaining on the clock, Gajion powered over for his second try.

A quick and successful conversion from Gabriel Rupanu ensured there was time for a restart, but the halfback then sealed his team’s fate with a knock-on at the base of a ruck 45 seconds later. Tonga emerged as 43-38 victors.

You can watch highlights and a full replay of the Test, plus more Nations Cup action, on RugbyPass TV.