Tonga 28 Italy 25

The Italian side was inconsolable at Welford Road tonight after an injury time drop-goal from Sateki Tu'ilupotu snatched a 28-25 win for Tonga, when an 80 minute penalty from Diego Dominguez looked to have earnt Italy a draw.

The Tongans started the game much the better side with Sililo Martens marshalling the game from scrum-half.  Taufahema and Tu'ipulotu both scored first half tries as Tonga went into the break 18-12 up, Diego Dominguez's four penalties keeping the Europeans in the contest.

In the second half the Italian pack took control of the game with captain Giovanelli spearheading his side's recovery.  Wing Vacarri made a number of telling breaks, as did the powerful centre Stoica.  The Tongan discipline began to slip and Dominguez punished them with a second-half penalty before hooker Moscardi crossed for a try which took the Italians into the lead.

But with 10 minutes, left Tonga launched a series of attacks which finally broke the brave Italian defence and Fatani plundered what appeared to be a match winning try with 5 minutes left.  Little did he, or anyone else at Welford Road know what drama was still to come.

Tonga:  1 Ta'u Fainga'anuku, 2 Latiume Maka, 3 Ngalu Taufo'ou, 4 Ben Hur Kivalu, 5 Falamani Mafi, 6 David Edwards, 7 Jonathan Koloi, 8 Kati Tu'ipulotu, 9 Sililo Martens, 10 Brian Wooley, 11 Tauna'holo Taufahema, 12 Semi Taupeaafe, 13 'Elisi Vunipola (c), 14 Epi Taione, 15 Sateki Tuipulotu
Reserves:  David Tiueti, Isi Fatani, Isi Tapueluelu, Matt Te Pou
Unused:  Kuli Faletau, Damien Penesini, Sione Tuipulotu

Italy:  1 Andrea Castellani, 2 Alessandro Moscardi, 3 Alejandro Moreno, 4 Carlo Checchinato, 5 Mark Giacheri, 6 Massimo Giovanelli (c), 7 Stefano Saviozzi, 8 Carlo Caione, 9 Alessandro Troncon, 10 Diego Dominguez, 11 Fabio Roselli, 12 Sandro Ceppolino, 13 Cristian Stoica, 14 Paolo Vaccari, 15 Matt Pini
Reserves:  Andrea Moretti, Nicola Mazzucato
Unused:  Orazio Arancio, Walter Cristofoletto, Francesco Mazzariol, Giampiero Mazzi, Franco Properzi-Curti

Attendance:  10244
Referee:  Mchugh d

Points Scorers:

Tonga
Tries:  Fatani I. 1, Taufahema T. 1, Tuipulotu S. 1
Conv:  Tuipulotu S. 2
Pen K.:  Tuipulotu S. 2
Drop G.:  Tuipulotu S. 1

Italy
Tries:  Moscardi A. 1
Conv:  Dominguez D. 1
Pen K.:  Dominguez D. 6