Photos by Tupou Vaipulu Jr.

The 'Ikale Tahi earned its first win of the Rugby World Cup 2023 this morning (Tonga time) with a big win 45-24 over Romania in the last game of Pool B, in Lille, France.

Seven tries for Tonga and three for Romania made an entertaining match for the excited and nearly full house at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Named “Player of the Match” George Moala, the former All Black, made a tournament debut for Tonga. “It feels good, to also represent my family and my country,” he told Matangi Tonga.

In the first 30 minutes Tonga pushed to a 21-3 lead with tries by Solomone Kata, George Moala, and 'Afusipa Taumoepeau, all converted by impressive no.10 Wiliam Havili.

Romania responded with a converted try (Cristi Boboc), 21-10.

Then a yellow card for Tonga no. 4 H. Fifita in the 31^st minute gave Romania 10 minutes to catch-up and they scored another converted try bringing the half time score to 21-17.

In the first half Tonga conceded 6 penalties and Romania conceded 3.

In the second half, a Tonga try by Sione Vailanu converted by Havili, was followed by Romania's third try by M. Simionescu converted by A. Conache, bringing the score to 28-24.

Tonga raced away with tries by Pita Ahki (converted) and S. Kata, to bring the score to 40-24

A yellow card for Romania in the last quarter put an end to the Romanian hopes of closing the gap.

Then a flying try by Kyren Taumoefolau (71'), making a World Cup debut for Tonga, brought the final score to 45-24.

Tonga leaves the World Cup competition with Ireland and South Africa making it through to the quarter-finals from Pool B.

Coach Totai Kefu, in his after match comments, acknowledged that this was his last RWC campaign for Tonga.

The Romanian  team had three Tongan players.

Teams

Tonga (world ranking 15^th): 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 George Moala, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 10 William Havili, 9 Sonatane Takulua (captain), 8 Sione Vailanu, 7 Sione Talitui, 6 Semisi Paea, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Halaleva Fifita, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi. Replacements: 16 Sione Anga’aelangi, 17 Paula Latu, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Penitoa Finau, 21 Manusiu Paea, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Kyren Taumoefolau.

Romania (world ranking 19^th): 15 Marius Simionescu, 14 Nicholas Onutu, 13 Tevita Manumua, 12 Fonovai Tangimana, 11 Taliauli Sikuea, 10 Alin Conache, 9 Florin Surugiu, 8 Andre Gorin, 7 Cristi Boboc, 6 Vlad Neculau, 5 Marius Iftimiciuc, 4 Adrian Motoc, 3 Alexandru Gordas, 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru (captain), 1 Alexandru Savin. Replacements: 16 Robert Irimescu, 17 Iulian Hartig, 18 Costel Burtila, 19 Florian Rosu, 20 Damian Stratila, 21 Gabriel Rupanu, 22 Alexandru Bucur, 23 Mihai Graure.