USA: (3) 15
Tries: MacDonald, Stanfill
Con: Hercus
Pens: Hercus
Tonga: (13) 25
Tries: Maka, Vaka, Vaki
Cons: Hola 2
Pens: Hola 2
Tonga got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with victory over a battling USA in Montpellier.
The Americans found themselves 13-0 down after 26 minutes thanks to an early try from Toulouse flanker Finau Maka and two Pierre Hola penalties.
Eagles prop Mike MacDonald made the score 13-8 with a try in the corner but Tonga responded through Joseph Vaka.
USA flanker Louis Stanfill then crossed from close range but Viliami Vaki's superb score sealed victory for Tonga.
The result was a disappointing one from America's point of view following on from their impressive display against England last weekend.
They seemed to be feeling the effects of the quick turnaround and Tonga made an explosive start with Toulouse's Maka going over after a rolling maul from a line-out after 72 seconds.
America settled however and restricted the combative Tongans to just two Hola penalties in the rest of the opening half.
The Eagles, boosted by a Hercus penalty just before the break, dominated for long periods of the second period and twice got back to within a score of their opponents.
MacDonald powered his way over to score in the corner on 46 minutes but Tonga responded with the help of an incisive break from skipper Nili Latu which led to Joseph Vaka scoring his first try for his country.
America had renewed hope when Stanfill bundled over from his own tap penalty but Vaki struck the decisive blow with 10 minutes left - leaving the Eagles ruing their wasted opportunities.
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USA: Chris Wyles; Salesi Sika, Paul Emerick, Vaha Esikia, Takudzwa Ngwenya; Mike Hercus (capt), Chad Erskine; Todd Clever, Henry Bloomfield, Louis Stanfill, Mike Mangan, Luke Gross, Chris Osentowski, Owen Lentz, Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: Blake Burdette, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Hayden Mexted , Inaki Basauri, Mike Petri, Valenese Malifa, Albert Tuipulotu.
Tonga: Vungakoto Lilo; Tevita Tu'ifua, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Epeli Taione, Joseph Vaka; Pierre Hola, Soane Havea; Finau Maka, Nili Latu (capt), Hale T Pole, Paino Hehea, Lisiate Fa'aoso, Kisi Pulu, Aleki Lutui, Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: Ephraim Taukafa, Toma Toke, Viliami Vaki, Lotu Filipine, Sione Tu'ipulotu, Isileli Tupou, Aisea Havili.
