A packed action weekend with some surprising results over in the Tier 2 world, as Spain, Romania and the United States of America were able to defeat Uruguay, Tonga and Portugal, respectively.
A packed action weekend with some surprising results over in the Tier 2 world, as Spain, Romania and the United States of America were able to defeat Uruguay, Tonga and Portugal, respectively.
Samoa and the USA were each dismissed in their semi-finals and will head to Osaka to fight it out for third place before the grand final sees the two heavyweights Fiji and Japan tussle for gold.
Courage replaced consolation in the playoff for fifth in the Pacific Nations Cup; a determined, occasionally spontaneous Tonga too cunning for committed Canada 30-17.
The consolation final kicked off round four of the Pacific Nations Cup in Tokyo and it was Tonga who pulled away from Canada to claim fifth place in the 2024 edition of the tournament.
'Ikale Tahi head coach Tevita Tu'ifua has made six changes to his matchday 23 to face Canada in the fifth-place playoff that kicks off round four of The Pacific Nations Cup this Saturday.
Tonga's wait for a first victory in Samoa since 1980 continues as the Ikale Tahi fell 43 - 17 in Apia. Struggling to match the accuracy and intensity of their hosts outside of a twenty minute period in the second half, Tonga simply had no platform from which to attack.
Tonga has announced its team to face Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup on Friday as the 'Ikale Tahi prepare to make their bow in this season's competition.
South Africa women and Tonga men lifted trophies in Stellenbosch on Saturday after winning the opening tournament in the two-legged 2023 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.
Of the 30 players in the Tonga squad to face the All Blacks this weekend, many haven't been exposed to first-class rugby of any kind.