Tonga narrowly lost to Canada 26-24 on Friday during the second round of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series in Cape Town. The Tonga team mounted several comeback attempts but ultimately fell short.
Canada started strong, with Morgan Di Nardo opening the scoring. Jamie Armstrong added another try, converting his own effort, giving Canada a 12-0 lead. Tonga responded with two tries, closing the gap to 12-10 by half-time.
Armstrong scored again early in the second half, extending Canada’s lead to 19-10. Tonga fought back, bringing the score to 19-17. Despite a yellow card to Canada’s Kyle Tremblay, Tonga couldn’t capitalise. Kal Sager’s try, converted by Thomas Isherwood, pushed Canada ahead 26-17. Tonga added a late try but couldn’t overcome the deficit.
Tonga’s performance showcased their resilience and determination, keeping the match competitive until the final whistle. Their efforts in this closely contested game highlight their potential in the series.
The World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series continues, with teams vying for top positions to secure promotion to the elite HSBC SVNS circuit next season.
