Tonga vs Canada: Canadians Finish Sixth at Pacific Nations Cup
Tonga vs Canada: Tonga’s potent attack and rugged defence paved the way for a 30-17 victory over Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup fifth-place match. Before you scroll to check the content won’t you check Rael Enteen: Commanders Suspend VP Amid Controversy
Tonga stormed out of the gates, scoring three tries in the first half to take control. Canada’s set pieces were a bright spot, but costly mistakes, often forced by Tonga’s physical defence, hindered their progress.
In the second half, Canada dominated possession, camping out in Tonga’s end for extended periods. However, they struggled to capitalize until Takoda McMullin’s 67th-minute try narrowed the gap to 22-15.
Tonga’s stingy defence held strong, securing the win and condemning Canada to a sixth-place finish. The young Canadian team showed promise, but ultimately fell short against a seasoned Tongan side.
Canada Falls 30-17 to Tonga After Late Sin-Bin
A crucial moment came in the 70th minute when Ethan Fryer was sin-binned for a high tackle, reducing Canada to 10 men. Tonga capitalized with a penalty kick, extending their lead to 25-17. To rub salt in the wound, John Tapueluelu scored his second try of the match in the dying minutes.
Canada’s attacking woes continued, with captain Lucas Rumball admitting, “We need to start converting in that zone… it’s been a theme all tournament.”
Canada’s Pacific Nations Cup campaign was marred by early losses to Japan (55-28) and the U.S. (28-15). Tonga, too, faced setbacks against Samoa (43-17) and Fiji (50-19).
The Canada-Tonga match was followed by the Fiji-U.S. semifinal. Samoa and Japan face off on Sunday, with the final and third-place games scheduled for September 21 in Higashiosaka City.
Canada showed promise in the Pacific Nations Cup, but ultimately fell short against Tonga.
Tonga Edges Canada in Rugby Clash
Andrew Quattrin’s try and Peter Nelson’s penalty and conversions were highlights for Canada, who trailed 19-10 at halftime. Despite the loss, coach Kingsley Jones saw positives, praising his players’ dedication and urging them to capitalize on opportunities.
Tonga’s Siosiua Moala and Josiah Unga scored tries, with Patrick Pellegrini adding conversions and penalties. The Tongans’ traditional Sipi Tau war dance preceded the game, which saw Canada start strong in the sweltering Tokyo heat.
Canada’s early pressure yielded a 3-0 lead via Nelson’s penalty kick, but Josiah Morra’s knock-on thwarted a promising attack. Despite this, Canada maintained pressure, showcasing their potential.
Tonga seized control early, opting for a lineout instead of a penalty kick. This bold move paid off as Siosiua Moala scored from a driving maul, giving Tonga a 7-3 lead.
John Tapueluelu’s try in the 15th minute stretched Tonga’s advantage to 14-3, showcasing his speed as he outran Canadian defenders.
However, Tonga’s Jethro Felemi was sin-binned in the 19th minute, and Canada capitalized on the numerical advantage. Andrew Quattrin’s powerful try in the 20th minute narrowed the gap to 14-10.
Tonga Extends Lead with Unga Try
Tonga’s dominance continued with their third try, scored by Unga in the 26th minute, despite being a man down. Pellegrini’s 50-20 kick and penalty kick in the 47th minute further extended Tonga’s lead to 22-10.
Canada introduced fresh faces, including 20-year-old Tyler Matchem, who earned his first cap in the 62nd minute, and Callum Botchar, who returned after a nine-month absence.
The 2025 Pacific Nations Cup takes on added significance, with World Cup qualification at stake. Canada aims for a top-five finish to secure a spot in the 2027 World Cup, given Fiji and Japan’s prior qualification.
Tonga boasts a 7-5-0 record against Canada, winning the last five encounters since 2013. However, Canada has triumphed in three World Cup matches, showcasing their potential.
Canada’s men’s rugby team will return to action in November, facing a challenging double-header in Bucharest. They’ll take on Chile, ranked 21st, and Romania, ranked 20th, in two exciting matches.
In Conclusion, Canada finishes sixth at Pacific Nations Cup after loss to Tonga. Promise shown, but opportunities missed. Team looks to regroup and rebuild. You can also check out more of our updates at SPORTVIEW2
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