Tonga Edges Romania 43-38 in Bucharest
Tonga secured its second win from four rounds of the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup with a 12-try thriller.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Other Sports
Tonga defeated Romania 43-38 at Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest, scoring six tries in the match. The win was Tonga's fourth against Romania in seven meetings and their first in Romania since 2017.
Why it matters
The result moves Tonga to two wins from four rounds of the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup, keeping them in contention in the new competition. Romania's defeat leaves them searching for consistency in a high-scoring contest.
Patrick Pellegrini scored 13 points with the boot for Tonga, and Tonga led 22-17 at halftime before the match was decided in the second half. The extraction does not provide further tournament standings or remaining fixture implications.
The players
Tonga
Tonga is a Pacific island nation whose national rugby union team competes in international tournaments, including the World Rugby Nations Cup.
Romania
Romania is a European country whose national rugby union team has long competed in the European and international rugby circuit.
Nicușor Dan
Nicușor Dan is the President of Romania, who met both teams before the match.
The details
Tonga scored six tries and Romania scored six tries in the match, with Efitusi Maafu scoring Tonga's fifth try as a debutant and Gheorghe Gajion scoring Romania's sixth. Romania's President Nicușor Dan met both teams before kick-off.
Timeline
November 6, 2026: Tonga defeats Romania 43-38 in Bucharest.
November 7, 2026: Georgia host Canada in Tbilisi.
November 8, 2026: Hong Kong China meet unbeaten USA in Bourg-en-Bresse.
Season Trajectory
The World Rugby Nations Cup is an inaugural competition, and Tonga's second win from four rounds positions them as an early contender in its first season. Romania's loss highlights the competitive balance among mid-tier nations in the tournament's opening campaign.
Fans following the World Rugby Nations Cup can track Tonga's position in the standings as the competition continues. The result also sets up a closer look at how Romania responds after its home defeat.
The takeaway
Tonga's win shows how quickly the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup can reshape the table after just four rounds. Readers following the tournament should watch the upcoming fixtures closely.
What happens next
Tonga's next Nations Cup fixture and the remaining standings will shape the rest of the competition, with Georgia hosting Canada in Tbilisi on November 7 and Hong Kong China facing the USA in Bourg-en-Bresse on November 8.
Further reading
For more on rugby and other international competitions, browse Other Sports.
