Tonga win a lineout against Canada in Pacific Nations Cup.
Photo: World Rugby/Tonga Rugby Facebook
Tonga have turned on the magic in their last game of the Pacific Nations Cup series, recording their second win to claim third spot at the America First Field, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Playmaker Patrick Pellegrini scored 25 points to help the ‘Ikale Tahi win 35-24 over Canada.
The win was sweet for the islanders, who had the backing of vocal fans cheering from the grandstand.
Named the ‘Player of the Match’ with his outstanding display, Pellegrini masterminded the Tongan attacks.
He told Rugby Pass their fans boosted them and he praised the players for their efforts.
“It’s a massive step-up from last year, beating Samoa and then finishing third,” he said. “Our goal was to win it, we came up a bit short, but I’m so proud of the boys, it was such a great effort from them.”
Inspirational captain Ben Tameifuna, who went through the match, paid tribute to their supporters and led the fans singing one of their favourite Tongan hymns.
Despite not winning the series title, as they had planned, he said securing their 2027 Rugby World Cup spot and finishing third were enough for their efforts in the past seven weeks.
“Rugby is never perfect and we’ve always got something to work on,” he said. “It’s a huge step from last year and we’ll look to build on that with the November tour, and hopefully go a step further next year in the PNC.”
Losing Canadian captain Mason Flesch said, while losing was disappointing, there were a lot of positives, adding the PNC was now very competitive.
“We can be proud of where we finished this year compared to last year,” he said. “We were really in that game in the first 40, and we just piggybacked them down the field into our own end and shot ourselves in the foot.
“The entire PNC is really starting to grow and it’s become a lot more competitive across all the teams. Nations like Canada and USA are getting to play against Japan, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, who are putting together good squads yearly.
“The competition’s just getting better.”
Tonga started well and claimed first points in the game. Two well-worked, first-half tries ultimately gave the ‘Ikale Tahi a winning platform in an enthralling match.
Their heavy forward pack dominated the battle upfront. Using their driving maul well, the islanders claimed their first try through Tupou Afungia in the 11th minute, with the Canadians unable to stop a Tongan maul from a lineout close to the tryline.
Pellegrini was in the forefront of the Tongan plays, just like he did during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition for Moana Pasifika.
He outran the Canadians defence to extend his side’s lead, his arcing run too much for the Canucks’ stretched defence, following another scrum dominated by his pack.
The try in the 34th minute came after a long period of play, which saw the Canadians defending well.
That period also saw the North Americans claim their first try through Matt Oworu, following a kick to touch, and patient phaseplay got them close to the line.
Canada threated Tonga’s dominance, when Brock Gallagher were over for a try, the conversion kicked Peter Nelson, opening the game up.
Tough Tongan prop Siegfried Fisi’ihoi dived over from short range shortly before the hour to give Tonga the lead again.
Then it was Nelson who added three points from a penalty for the Canadians.
Former All Black Salesi Piutau, playing at 13 for Tonga , released Pellegrini for his second on the other side of the 60-minute mark, as Tonga raced to a 11 points lead again.
Nelson then scored for Canada before Tonga’s Nikolai Foliaki was carded for a dangerous tackle.
Pellegrini beat two Canadian defenders and stretched to dot down for the third time after Canada also lost Kyle Steeves to a yellow for a shoulder charge.
Both Canada and Tonga have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup for advancing into the semifinals in the competition.
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