Tonga 25 USA 15

Tonga claimed their third-ever win at the Rugby World Cup with a rousing 25-15 victory over the United States in Pool A at Stade de la Mosson.

The flamboyant Pacific Islanders threw caution to the wind with an adventurous display to overcome the American Eagles, who caused holders England bother in their opening game before going down 28-10 in Lens last Sunday.

The Tongans exploded out of the blocks with a try in the second minute and wrapped up the contest with two spectacular tries to winger Joseph Vaka and replacement Viliami Vaki in the final quarter in baking heat.

The Tongan Sea Eagles targeted USA as their best chance of victory in France and ended a sequence of opening losses at their previous four tournaments.

It gives them a terrific lead-up to the much-anticipated match with Pacific rivals Samoa here on Sunday.

Tonga bounded away to a rousing start with a try off a 20m rolling maul in the second minute.

The Tongan forwards won a lineout and tousled-haired number eight Finau Maka, who plays rugby with Toulouse, plunged over the line with the ball.

Fly-half Pierre Hola booted two penalties to kick the Tongans away to a 13-0 lead in the draining afternoon heat, but skipper Mike Hercus kept his American team in sight with a 33rd-minute penalty.

It was a lively opening half with both teams taking their chances and throwing the ball around, punctuated by handling mistakes but the 24,243 crowd loved it.

Hooker Owen Lentz had a try disallowed by the video referee after a rolling maul minutes after the resumption, but moments later the Eagles got their first try through prop Mike MacDonald.

The Tongans were under great pressure on their line before MacDonald plunged over wide out to trail 13-8 after 47 minutes.

Just when the American Eagles looked to be getting on top Tonga produced two magical tries.

Skipper Nili Latu broke into clear on halfway and linked with fullback Vungakoto Lilo with Vaka finishing it off for a 10-point advantage.

Flanker Louis Stanfill nudged the American Eagles to within three points when he was given a try by the video referee with 13 minutes left.

Stanfill ploughed over under a flurry of Tongan red shirts and after several minutes' adjudication he was given the try which Hercus converted.

But replacement Vaki, who plays for Perpignan in France, secured victory with a sizzling break, evading three tackles, before diving under the crossbar with 10 minutes left and restore the Tongans' 10-point margin.

TONGA 25 (Finau Maka, Joseph Vaka, Viliami Vaki tries; Pierre Hola 2 conversions, 2 penalties) bt UNITED STATES 15 (Mike McDonald, Louis Stanfill tries; Mike Hercus penalty, conversion)

AFP