(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pacific Nations Cup 2025: Canada and Tonga Start with Strong Wins
Canada 34 – USA 20
Canada began their Pacific Nations Cup 2025 campaign with a 34-20 victory over the USA in Calgary. The result also marked coach Stephen Meehan’s first win in charge after three matches.
Veteran forward Tyler Ardron made a memorable return to international rugby by scoring four tries, including a first-half hat-trick. It was Canada’s first win against the USA since 2021, helping them take a big step toward Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification.
The Eagles stayed competitive in the first half with tries from Dominic Besag and Rufus Maclean, while AJ MacGinty added two penalties. Scores were tied at 20-20 midway through the second half, but Ardron’s fourth try and a decisive score from Peter Nelson secured the win for Canada.
Meehan praised his players, saying: “I thought the team delivered everything we asked of them. Collectively, we’re very happy with what we achieved.”
The USA struggled with discipline late in the match and were unable to recover after MacGinty was shown a yellow card. Their head coach Scott Lawrence admitted his side needed to improve in set-piece play and territorial control ahead of the next round.
Canada will now face Japan in Sendai next weekend, while the USA meet the Brave Blossoms in Sacramento on 6 September.
Tonga 30 – Samoa 16
In Nukuʻalofa, Tonga made a strong start to their Pacific Nations Cup campaign with a 30-16 win over Samoa.
Tonga dominated the first half, moving into a 17-0 lead with tries from Siosuia Moala and Sonatane Takulua, supported by the kicking of Patrick Pellegrini. Samoa responded with penalties from AJ Alatimu and a late try from Tuna Tuitama, but struggled to cope with Tonga’s physical set-piece play.
Replacement hooker Sam Moli extended Tonga’s lead with a try from a driving maul, making the result safe. A late strike from Samoa’s Melani Nanai reduced the margin but came too late to change the outcome.
Tonga captain Ben Tameifuna praised the home support: “It’s been an awesome occasion. The fans gave us a great welcome, and it’s special to start with a win here.”
Tonga will travel to Suva to play Fiji next weekend, while Samoa will face the Flying Fijians a week later in Rotorua.
