Summary

  • 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

  1. 'Moala a human wrecking ball'published at 17:03 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga 14-0 Romania

    Rocky Clark
    Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    George Moala dives over to score a tryImage source, PA Media

    What a finish from George Moala, a human wrecking ball going through there.

    Absolute vital score for Tonga, the gaps opened up for Tonga.

  2. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Tonga 14-0 Romania

    George Moala fends against Jonathan Davies of Wales while playing for New Zealand during a match in 2017Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    George Moala fends against Jonathan Davies of Wales while playing for New Zealand during a match in 2017

    Aged 32, former All Black George Moala is making a belated Rugby World Cup debut today for Tonga, after completing a five-match suspension.

    Now he's got a try to show for it too.

  3. converted try

    Converted try - Tonga 14-0 Romaniapublished at 16 mins

    George Moala (con William Havili)

    Tonga's outside centre George Moala runs to score a tryImage source, Getty Images

    Tonga though are in no mood for a tight game today, they are pouring forwards!

    The Pacific islanders get the ball through the hands and put Romania under heavy pressure, before George Moala bursts through the arms of his tackler Florian Rosu to score on his World Cup debut.

  4. Postpublished at 13 mins

    Tonga 7-0 Romania

    So a very even opening until that Tonga try. We should not be surprised if this is a close one though.

    In four previous meetings, Tonga and Romania have each won two games, with three of the matches being decided by five points or fewer.

    The exception was their most recent meeting in 2021, which Romania won 32-20 in Bucharest.

  5. 'Great endeavour from Tonga'published at 16:58 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga 7-0 Romania

    Rocky Clark
    Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Solomone Kata runs to score a tryImage source, Getty Images

    Glorious pass from Salesi Piutau he went round the back with a single hand offload to Solomone Kata. The pace on the ball to get it into the corner, great endeavour from Tonga.

  6. converted try

    Converted try - Tonga 7-0 Romaniapublished at 11 mins

    Solomone Kata (con William Havili)

    Solomone Kata puts the ball down to score a tryImage source, Reuters

    Tonga with their first attempt to foray forward, and it earns a try!

    Prop Ben Tameifuna goes on an adventure through the middle, and gains distance while allowing full-back Salesi Piutau to catch up.

    Piutau does great work and offloads out to the right where onrushing winger Solomone Kata collects and busts over the line.

  7. Postpublished at 9 mins

    Tonga 0-0 Romania

    Romania certainly seem to have supremacy in the scrum. That will surely be something they look to exploit all game.

    Alin Conache looks lively too, attempting to chase down his own chip kick but it gets snuffed out.

  8. Postpublished at 7 mins

    Tonga 0-0 Romania

    Afusipa Taumoepeau of Tonga is tackled by Tevita ManumuaImage source, Getty Images

    Romania will be keen for points from anywhere today. They are in danger of setting a new record for the fewest points at a Rugby World Cup, having scored just eight so far.

    They currently share that dubious honour with Canada. Romania only scored 14 points at the 1995 World Cup, a mark the Canadians matched four years ago.

    A couple of penalties would take a lot of pressure off their shoulders.

  9. 'Spine tingling from Romanian forwards'published at 16:51 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga 0-0 Romania

    Rocky Clark
    Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    The two teams contest a scrumImage source, Getty Images

    That was spine-tingling from the Romanian forwards. They all went together and it was the loose-head of Tonga that went underneath and Romania got the penalty.

    Interesting call to go for the posts.

  10. Missed penaltypublished at 6 mins

    Tonga 0-0 Romania

    Alin Conache makes a good fist of the kick from near the halfway line, but the 21-year-old fly-half pulls it left.

    The Romanian wait for points goes on.

  11. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Tonga 0-0 Romania

    Marius Simionescu of Romania kicks the ball upfieldImage source, Getty Images

    A competitive opening to this game, including a hugely impressive first scrum from Romania where they totally overpowered the Tongans!

    The Europeans earned a penalty out of that scrum too, and they will kick for goal.

  12. Postpublished at 3 mins

    Tonga 0-0 Romania

    Do you remember when Gabriel Rupanu scored a try in the third minute of Romania's opening match against Ireland, and we wondered if an upset was on the cards?

    Romania have not scored a try since. That's now 240 minutes of play and counting without a big score.

    It's tough being the underdog sometimes.

    Gabriel RupanuImage source, Getty Images
  13. Kick-offpublished at 16:45 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga 0-0 Romania

    The penultimate pool stage match has begun.

  14. Postpublished at 16:42 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga v Romania (16.45 BST)

    The players of Romania watch on as the players of Tonga perform the Sipi TauImage source, Getty Images

    The players are on the field in Lille, the anthems have been sung and we are ready to rock.

    Plenty of emotion on display. You can't say this game doesn't matter to the Tongans or the Romanians.

  15. Signs of life as Tonga eye first winpublished at 16:40 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga v Romania (16.45 BST)

    Ben Tameifuna of Tonga reacts with the Tongan flag around himImage source, Getty Images

    Tonga can consider themselves unfortunate to have been drawn in such a strong pool, and have at least laid a couple of blows on the big boys.

    They scored a pleasingly progressing 16, 17 and 18 points in their first three group games. Unforunately for them, Ireland registered 59, Scotland 45 and South Africa scored 49 last time out.

    Tonga were particularly combative against the South Africans having been too easily picked apart by the Scottish and Irish, and will start this match as favourites.

  16. Will Romania finally roar?published at 16:38 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga v Romania (16.45 BST)

    Dejected Romania players during the France gameImage source, Getty Images

    It has not been a fun World Cup for Romania. Three heavy defeats by Ireland, South Africa and Scotland - the latter two without registering a point.

    The Romanians have scored just eight points this tournament, with 242 against. Lose again today and they leave France with the worst record of any of the competing teams.

    But they have clearly targeted this match, as evidenced by head coach Eugen Apjok resting players for the 84-0 mauling from Scotland in preparation for Tonga.

    Surely, they have to be a bit better today?

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:36 BST 8 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    As the pool stage reaches its conclusion, now seems like a good time to look back and reflect on the games we have seen so far.

    What have been your stand-out moments from the group games, which players and teams have impressed you the most? We'd love to hear from you.

  18. Tune in!published at 16:34 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga v Romania (16:45 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    You can listen to live radio commentary of this final game in Pool B, as well as following this live text.

    Just head up to the top of the page and click the audio icon to tune in.

  19. As it standspublished at 16:32 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga v Romania (16:45 BST)

    Graphic for Pool B -  Anzelo Tuitavuki of Tonga picturedImage source, BBC Sport
  20. Team newspublished at 16:30 BST 8 October 2023

    Tonga v Romania (16:45 BST)

    A general view inside the stadiumImage source, Getty Images

    Tonga: Piutau; Kata, Moala, Ahki, Taumoepeau; Havili, Takulua (capt); Fisi'ihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna; Fifita, Coleman; Paea, Talitui, Vailanu.

    Replacements: Anga'aelangi, Latu, Tokolahi, Mafi, Finau, Paea, Pellegrini, Taumoefolau.

    Romania: Simionescu; Onutu, Manumua, Tangimana, Sikuea; Conache, Surugiu; Savin, Cojocaru (capt), Gordas; Motoc, Iftimiciuc; Rosu, Boboc, Gorin.

    Replacements: Irimescu, Hartig, Burtila, Iancu, Stratila, Rupanu, Bucur, Graure.