Welcome back, where the score is 21-17 to the visitors, with two minutes to go. A drop goal won't do it, Tonga need a try. We have secured rights for
full commentary of the last vital minutes.
77:45 - At the kick off, Gutterman makes a long kick into the 22 of Tonga. Caught nicely by Mertons. He makes a short run before he is tackled by Mangan on the 22 metre line. At the ruck now, fullback Vek'u passes to his left to Halo. He gives a no look pass over to his left to Te'ifuto. He passes it further left to centre Ngasmo, who finds a gap in the defence. He runs up to the ten metre line, before a diving tackle attempt by Roofrom50, which is unsuccessful. He keeps sprinting further to the halfway line before being brought down from behind by Holdenator. Mertons at the ruck, passes a diving pass left again to flyhalf Halo, who runs into the tackle courtesy of Gutterman. One minute for the Eagles to hold on now.
78:59 - Mertons from the ruck again, passes it this time right to Ngusmo on the halfway line. He's sweetly brought down by Clever. Tonga retain possession, seeming not to be going anywhere at the moment. Luta makes a quick pick and go from the ruck to no success. We run into the dying seconds now as the hooter goes.
80:00 - Tonga have to keep possession if they want it win. Mertons passes left from the ruck. A set play now. Halo throws it to centre Ngusmo, who passes it back. He goes to the number eight Kuvali, but again a tackle from Stanfill denies them of a break. On the halfway again, retaining possession. They need more players in the ruck, the Tongans. The ball seems to be hidden in the ruck. USA can sense a turnover now and bring in more forwards to help out. They secure the turnover! It looks to be the match for Tonga. Holdenator makes a well executed pass back to Gutterman, who kicks it into the crowd, and the referee blows for full time!
That's what you call a game of rugby. Both sides in it, a quality match and the thriller right at the end. Full time here at National Stadium. The match was tight and it came down to the last second, but USA have secured their second win of the season. That's two from two now for coach Xuzuno, he should be very pleased.
The first half started in a physical encounter, with plenty of penalties being awarded, not to mention a sin binning. The Eagles ran out to a 16 point lead, until Tonga came back with a try late into the first half. The teams came back with improved discipline and we saw a territory game with not much being scored. Until the last three minutes, when Tonga came back again, scoring a late try to put the result of the match up for anyone to take. The nerveless USA held on with some brilliant defending.
The Eagles should celebrate their win, and the crowd got their money's worth today. The man of the match has been decided and Burnsy1 has been chosen for showing a magnificent display of defensive and attacking rugby especially the try he scored.
That's all from National Stadium here today. Be sure to catch us again next time for their final match before they head off to New Zealand, against their toughest opponents yet, Fiji. But for now see you later!
Full Time Score: 21-17
