Pacific Nations Cup
Tonga third, United States beat Canada
ESPN Staff
August 3, 2015
Fetu'u Vainikolo of Tonga celebrates a try with Elvis Taione
Fetu'u Vainikolo of Tonga celebrates a try with Elvis Taione© Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Tonga claimed third place in the Pacific Nations Cup with a hard-fought 31-20 victory against Japan in Burnaby. Halani Aulika, Fetu'u Vainikolo and Sonatane Takulua all crossed over for the Tongans, with Hendrik Tui scoring Japan's only try. United States, meanwhile defeated Canada with a last-minute drop goal in the fifth-place play-off.

Japan led 6-3 following two penalties from Ayumu Goromaru before Aulika's 30th minute try was converted by Kurt Morath to give Tonga a 10-6 lead. Tui responded to put Eddie Jones's side momentarily back into the lead, but two further kicks from the boot of Morath ensured the Tongans held a 16-11 lead at the break. It soon became a contest of kicking, with Goromaru landing two penalties shortly after the interval to give Japan a slim lead.

Vainikolo's try restored the advantage for Tonga and, after Hayden Hopgood's yellow card reduced Japan to 14 men, Takulua took full advantage to secure victory for his side.

United States, meanwhile, won the second match of the triple-header in Vancouver when AJ MacGinty landed a drop goal in the 80th minute to secure a 15-13 verdict over Canada. The result was particularly hard for Canada to take coming, as it did, just five days after their last-minute loss to Samoa in Toronto.

Canadian substitute Nick Blevins scored the game's only try in the 71st minute, after a run down the right flank, to give the hosts a 13-12 lead after Liam Underwood's conversion, before MacGinty added his drop goal to four previous penalty goals.

© ESPN Staff

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