Tonga get first victory of Rugby World Cup 2023 over winless Romania but both nations eliminated
Sione Vailanu scored fourth Tonga try in second half to clinch bonus point
Solomone Kata (2), George Moala, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Pita Ahki and Kyren Taumoefolau also touched down for Tonga
Cristi Boboc, Florin Surugiu and Marius Simionescu crossed for Romania
FT: Tonga 45-24 Romania
Image source, Getty ImagesThank you for joining us for this game. On a weekend of rugby giants duking it out, this was a fun bonus and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
The match report will be online shortly, and we will also have live text coverage of Fiji v Portugal starting in around 40 minutes' time.
See you shortly!
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Tonga 45-24 Romania
Image source, Getty ImagesRomania head coach Eugen Apjok speaking after the game: "We stayed in the game, but we made too many mistakes in the first half. There was individual missed tackles and then when we did comeback we believed we could win the game.
"We lost control and then after the yellow card everything is gone. Well done to Tonga for the win today."
FT: Tonga 45-24 Romania
Image source, Getty ImagesTonga prop Ben Tameifuna speaking after the game: "Very happy with the win and credit to the boys, that is for all our friends and family.
"It means a lot for most of the players especially for our coach [Toutao Kefu], he is finishing up after this World Cup.
"For the family in the crowd and all our supporters, it is a massive win and credit to them."
FT: Tonga 45-24 Romania
Image source, Getty ImagesTonga's George Moala speaking after the game: "The boys dug in deep and I am happy, a really physical game and happy to finish on a win."
On his return after his ban: "It was fun, the lungs are not so good!"
FT: Tonga 45-24 Romania
An improved showing by Romania today, but unfortunately for them they do finish this World Cup with the worst pool stage record of all 20 teams.
Four games, four losses, no points, 32 for, 287 against, a points difference of -255.
It is their worst ever record in nine appearances at the World Cup finals, and only the third - after 1995 and 2011 - in which they failed to record a win.
FT: Tonga 45-24 Romania
Tonga get off the mark at the fourth and final attempt, but it's Ireland and South Africa who make it through to the quarter-finals from Pool B.
FT: Tonga 45-24 Romania
Rocky Clark
Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Scintillating game, the crowd was behind it. The momentum swings which happened a couple of times. Then the flurry of tries in the second half and Romania did not give up - testament to them.
FT: Tonga 45-24 Romania
This is Tonga's record win at a Rugby World Cup.
It surpasses a 29-11 victory over Ivory Coast (yes, really) at the 1995 tournament.
Tonga 45-24 Romania
All over. An engrossing game between two teams with nothing to play for on paper, but with plenty of pride.
Tonga 45-24 Romania
Tonga penalty, they kick for touch. We go on.
They want that 50!
Tonga 45-24 Romania
Patrick Pellegrini bursts through again! Shaking off two tackles, he seems certain to score!
But he is held up on the line, brilliant last-gasp defending from Romania. Tonga denied a half century.
Tonga 45-24 Romania
Patrick Pellegrini thinks he has a cheeky turnover try as he kicks the ball through the crowd, however Tonga are penalised for a knock-on.
Tonga 45-24 Romania
Into the final five minutes of this World Cup for both these nations.
Can Romania find another try for a bonus point, and get themselves off the mark?
Tonga 45-24 Romania
Rocky Clark
Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Image source, Getty Images]Brilliant finish by Kyren Taumoefolau, he was been chased down by Tevita Manumu. Taumoefolau uses his gas and backed himself in the corner. Brilliant try from the youngster.
Kyren Taumoefolau
Image source, Getty ImagesElectric!
Romania make a hash of the defence from the scrum, an attempted escape using a grubber kick is cut out.
Tonga swing it swiftly to the opposite wing, and replacement Kyren Taumoefolau bursts through with too much pace and power for the yellow shirts.
Image source, Getty ImagesTonga 40-24 Romania
Romania, now with 14 men for the remainder of the match, dig in well to get Tonga away from the line.
Tonga work it out to Afusipa Taumoepeau who goes over, however it was from a pass so forward it belonged at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the American football today.
The try is disallowed.
Tonga 40-24 Romania
Tonga could run away in these final minutes, they nearly break through again down the right and Romania have to bundle the ball out for a line-out desperately.
Alin Conache then gets a silly yellow for going off his feet in the breakdown, right under the Romanian posts.
Tonga 40-24 Romania
Rocky Clark
Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Image source, Getty ImagesThe man of the moment, the real gas on the wing, Solomone Kata, exceptional play with the peel off the line-out and the ball out the back Tonga had so many options. Romania were really tight, Salesi Piutau gives a beautiful pass to Kata who just dives over.
#bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Image source, Getty ImagesI watch the World Cup to see teams like this. I see the top 8-9 teams every year. This is a great clash of styles, classic - thank you Romania, Tonga, Portugal, Georgia, Chile and Samoa. Go Romania!
Adam
Solomone Kata
Image source, ReutersThat might be that.
Tonga put together a perfect training ground move from the line-out, Salesi Piutau again the driving force as he draws the tackle with his run before laying off to Solomone Kata to score.
Kata is joining Leicester Tigers after this World Cup. He will be fun in the Premiership.
William Havili misses the conversion this time.