Date: 07 Jul 2000
Venue: Nuku A'lofa
Attendance: Not Recorded
Referee: Hyde-lay i.
Home team Tonga took charge of their Epson Cup clash with the United States with a first minute try and never let their grip slip -- eventually beating the North Americans 29-6 on Friday.
The islanders' fullback Siua Taumalolo crossed for a try from the kick-off and scored another five-pointer later in the first half. However, he failed to convert his own tries in the heavy conditions brought on by tropical downpours both before and during the game.
Tonga led 10-3 at half-time after the Eagles' flyhalf Grant Wells scored the first of his two penalties.
The home side kept up the pressure in the second stanza, scoring a further three tries -- by prop Ngalu Ta'u, winger Tevita Tiueti and flyhalf Elisi Vunipola. Taumalolo converted two of these.
USA head coach Duncan Hall expressed disappointment with his team's performance along with disbelief at the extremity of the conditions. "The weather was unbelievably atrocious. We really struggled to hold on to the ball. We did have opportunities, but they played better wet weather football."
The Tongan halfbacks wisely relied on a kick-ahead game, one of the few tactics available given the conditions. "It was very difficult for the backs to operate with any semblance of order," noted Hall whose hopes for a contest of skills were washed away.
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