Tonga came from behind at half-time to secure a 31-19 win over the United States and avoid finishing bottom of Rugby World Cup Pool C.
United States 19-31 Tonga
United States tries: Te'o (2), Lamborn
United States conversions: MacGinty (2)
Tonga tries: Fisiihoi, Hingano, Piutau, Veainu
Tonga conversions: Takulua (2), Faiva, Piutau
Tonga penalties: Takulua
Match highlights
Match report
Tonga came from behind at half-time to secure a 31-19 win over the United States and avoid finishing bottom of Rugby World Cup Pool C.
A pair of tries from replacement Mike Teo saw the Eagles take a 12-7 lead into the interval but scores after the break from Malietoa Hingano, Siale Piutau and Telusa Veainu ensured Tonga ended their competition on a high.
It was Tonga who opened the scoring through a Siegfried Fisi'ihoi try after 16 minutes as their early pressure told. Winger Viliami Lolohea broke clear and when he was hauled down metres from the line, Fisi'ihoi picked up to go over.
But the USA rallied with two tries in the space of five minutes from Teo. Cam Dolan flicked the ball out the back of his hand to Teo in space and the winger ran in under posts before the ball was worked wide for Teo to finish in the corner.
Tonga took the lead after 61 minutes when Veainu chipped over the top, chased his own kick and hacked the ball on for Lolohea, who fed Hingano to score.
Just four minutes later Tonga extended their advantage with their third try. Sione Kalamafoni took the ball on from Fisi'ihoi after he broke clear and the ball was spread left for captain Piutau to skip over.
Tony Lamborn burrowed over from close range as the USA hit back but Tonga secured the bonus point with their fourth try right on the whistle when Veainu latched onto James Faiva's kick and touched down.
Match reaction
Tonga captain Siale Piutau was happy to see his international career finish on a high after the 31-19 win over the United States in Hanazono.
Piutau said: "We spoke all week about us deserving to play well and to finish on a high.
"This brought out the boys in the face of adversity and we've put in a performance and hopefully we've made our people proud.
"It's an awesome way to cap off an international career. It's my birthday today, it's probably the best birthday present that the boys can give me. It's been a huge honour and a privilege to represent this jersey."
"It's been an emotional year for our family. We lost a sister early this year and it's been a tough journey but all of this for me personally has been done in her memory."
USA coach Gary Gold felt his side will take some positives away from the tournament.
He said: "We played some really good teams in this Rugby World Cup.
"It's been excellent, I think after the disappointment has died down we'll reflect and we'll have learned a lot of lessons."
More Rugby World Cup content
Fast Results
Scores
