Tonga off to a flyer Celebration time: Tonga number 8 Finau MakaMONTPELLIER, 12 September - A muscular performance by Tonga brought the USA back to earth as the Pacific islanders registered their first victory of the IRB Rugby World Cup and their first world cup win since 1999. Tonga's 25-15 victory was set up in the opening 20 minutes when they raced to a 13-0 lead. It was sealed with an individual try in the final 10 minutes when substitute forward Viliami Vaki beat off four tiring tacklers to score under the posts, just as the USA had drawn to within three points. Tonga fly half Pierre Hola admitted to some panic in the ranks when the USA clawed their way back to trail 18-15, but captain and flanker Nili Latu took control and told the team to be patient and keep to the game plan. "This tournament is about fronting up or going home. It's about mental toughness and we have that," Latu said. Quick score The Tongans went over with barely a minute gone, number 8 Finau Maka's five-pointer the fastest try in Tonga's RWC history and the second fastest at RWC 2007. "We started very slowly. We were sort of 'deer in the headlights' in the first half, I guess," said Eagles captain and fly half Mike Hercus. USA coach Peter Thorburn (NZL) admitted his team's widely praised effort in the physical confrontation with England four days earlier had probably taken more out of his players than he thought. USA prop and try-scorer Mike MacDonald said the Tonga defence was no tougher than they had faced in the England game, just a little smarter having had the benefit of video analysis. "They probably did their homework (from USA v England): they knew the lines we were going to run and were waiting for us." Stifled attack He said Tonga won the game with their hard, spirited play and ability to choke off the Eagles' attack at crucial times by slowing their ball. "What they did really well was slowing our ball up - more so than England did. Our cleaning out or rucking ability wasn't as good as we needed it to be. I think that was the main factor in the game. They slowed our ball down very effectively." The USA forwards did their best work in settling play in the second half with a series of pick and drives around the ruck to try to tire the Tongan defence. "When we got within three points I thought we had a chance. We thought they were tiring but silly mistakes cost us," said Hercus. Wasted ball While the Tongans took their chances, the Eagles squandered possession and territory with handling errors and poor decision making. "We had territorial domination, more possession, but we were unable to score," said Hercus. "We had the same problem against England - good situations but too many mistakes. That's a point we have to work on." Perhaps Thorburn summed it up best in the match program: "The USA have got some very good athletes and people that have adapted to rugby very well but if you don't grow up with the game - if you don't subliminally learn the basics of the game - then, under pressure, these things break down." RNS plr/ap/mp/mr

All Blacks resist 'white-line fever' Captain's performance: Jerry Collins was man of the matchLYON, 15 September - New Zealand scored more than 100 points against Portugal but the match was far less of a one-way affair than some predicted. The Lobos scored a try, conversion, drop goal and penalty in the 108-13 defeat and at times controlled possession for long periods. However, New Zealand used the match as an opportunity to give many second-tier players a run-out, some out of position, and to focus on skills rather than scores. To arms Some of the more erratic All Blacks alterations included centre Isaia Toeava playing wing while Keven Mealamu, normally a hooker, substituted for flanker Jerry Collins in the second half. Portugal walked on to the pitch with linked arms before lustily singing their national anthem, the chorus of which is "as armas" (to arms). From the kick off a combination of the vocal Portuguese supporters and a diminished All Black side boosted Portugal's performance. New Zealand, using the match as a dry-run for moves to be used later in the tournament, started the tie lethargically, and had built only a 13-point lead when Portugal fly half Gonçalo Malheiro scored a drop goal in the 20th minute to put his side on the board. It was the spur the All Blacks needed and they scored eight tries and six conversions to leave the score 52-3 at half time. In the second half, a raft of substitutions gave the All Blacks fresh energy, while Portugal showed signs of flagging under the continual assault. New Zealand settled into a rhythm, scoring another eight tries and eight conversions to close the match at 108-13, but only after Portugal had added a much-deserved try, conversion and a penalty. White-line fever "They played well. There was lots of support for Portugal. To their credit they never stopped trying and never gave up," said Collins, man of the match and New Zealand captain for the day. He also confirmed that the team had focused on testing their skills and a new line-up rather than crossing the try line. He said his side had shown discipline in following their game plan. "You can get white-line fever and ball-hungry and we managed to avoid that," he said. The Lobos were also satisfied with their performance, and the score. "There are some good points," said full back Pedro Leal. "We scored a try and that's why we are happy. Anyway, we couldn't avoid suffering more than 100 points." RNS fb/pr/gs

Tonga hold on with 13 men to beat Samoa Try time: Tonga's Epeli Taione crashes over in his team's victory over Samoa.MONTPELLIER, 16 September – Tonga have held on with 13 men to defeat Samoa 19-15 in a tough match at Stade de la Mosson. Tonga blindside Hale T Pole was red-carded in the 73rd minute for rough play and replacement prop Muliufi Salanoa received a yellow card moments later. Samoa tried in vain to capitalise but poor handling at crucial moments cost them. A converted try to inside centre Epeli Taione in the 59th minute, the only five pointer of the match, proved decisive. Tonga opted to go for the touchline instead of kick the penalty and Taione crashed over following a maul to make it 16-12. The Tonga number 8 Finau Maka then made several storming runs after the restart, with one ending in another penalty. Fly half Pierre Hola slotted the goal, his fourth penalty of the match, to extend his team's lead to 19-12 with 13 minutes of the match remaining. Samoa replied with another Gavin Williams' penalty – his fifth for the match - to reduce the deficit to one score in the 69th minute. However, Tonga's tenacious defence held them out. RNS mp/gs