Tonga A started off the World Rugby Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 tournament with a win over USA Select XV, 39-30, on 6 October in Uruguay.

The high scoring game saw USA Select XV the first to put points on the board after being awarded a penalty when Tonga’s George Tu’ineau was sin-binned for a high tackle.

Tonga A came back with a try by scrum-half Sione Ika, converted by half-back Saia Fililava but the Americans responded with a converted try bringing the score to 13-7.

Tonga A took the lead again with Irwin Finau muscling his way over the try line, converted by Fililava. He kicked another penalty when USA Select’s Psalm Wooching was yellow carded for a professional foul at the breakdown before half-time.

However, this did not stop the Americans scoring first after the break to regain the lead. In the 54^th minute however, Tonga’s Ika again scored to lead 22-20, but that was short lived when America responded with a converted try and a penalty goal to take back the lead.

With 15 minutes remaining in the game, Tonga A lost Takau Cocker to the bin, making the task ahead of them difficult.

Despite being down in number, the Tongans did not give up and clawed their way back with Sione Lave and Tevita Hafoka crossing the try line in the 72^nd and 74^th minutes. Fililava converted both tries and added a late penalty to end the game.

Tonga A will play Samoa A on 10 October, and face Canada A on 14 October.

The tournament which was introduced in 2016 runs from October 6-14 and includes A teams from Tonga, Samoa, Uruguay, Argentina, Canada and USA.

The Americas Pacific Challenge aims to improve the high-performance pathway for the test arena and to support the Americas Rugby Championship and Pacific Nations Cup as well as the November international test window preparation.