2027 World Cup: Is Spain a Viable Contender?

Spanish Rugby Team Wins Thrilling Match Against Tonga

Pablo Bouza, the national coach of the Spanish rugby team, said in a press conference, "Before Tonga, we are going to go for the game," and he was not wrong. The Spanish team closed the Pacific tour with a great victory over Tonga, with a final score of 29-17.

The match was played on July 19th at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa, with a total attendance of over 10,000 fans. The Spanish team was led by Gonzalo Vinuesa, who once again proved to be the star of the match, scoring 19 of the 29 points for Spain.

The Spanish team showed great organization on the defensive side, repeatedly committing penalty kicks that led to scoring points for Spain. Alvar Gimeno, who achieved his 40th cap with the national team, scored a try in the 64th minute, giving the Spanish team a much-needed boost after a tough start to the second half.

The match was marked by a tough start for the Spanish team, with captain Mario Pichardie having to leave the field due to injury in the first minutes of the match. However, the team was able to read the tough game of the Tongans and commit numerous penalty kicks.

With this victory, Spain closes the Pacific tour in the best possible way, returning to Europe with a job well done. The team will now have a couple of days of recovery and will prepare for the November window, where they will play three preparatory matches to arrive in the best possible shape for the Rugby Europe Championship 2025 and the 2027 World Cup.

Match Fact Sheet

• Date: July 19, 2024
• Time: 04:30
• Location: Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa
• Referee: Pierre Brousset (FRA)
• Tonga lineup:
  • 1. Tau KOLOAMATANGI
  • 1. Sosefo SAKALIA
  • 1. Ben TAMEIFUNA ©
  • 1. Adam COLEMAN
  • 1. Harison MATAELE
  • 1. Siosua KAIFA
  • 1. Fotu LOKOTUI
  • 1. Lotu INISI
  • 1. Manu PAEA
  • 1. James FAIVA
  • 1. Hosea SAUMAKI
  • 1. Malakai FEKITOA
  • 1. Fetuli PAEA
  • 1. John TAPUELUELU
  • 1. Telusa VEAINU
• Also playing:
  • 1. Solomone ANISEKO
  • 1. Jethro FELEMI
  • 1. Brandon TELEVAVE
  • 1. Kelemete FINAU
  • 1. Sione TAKAI
  • 1. Aisea HALO
  • 1. Tyler PULINI
  • 1. Nikolai FOLIAKI
• Spain’s lineup:
  • 1. Thierry FUTEU
  • 1. Santi OVEJERO
  • 1. Hugo PIRLET
  • 1. Asier USÁRRAGA
  • 5.
  • 1. Mario PICHARDIE ©
  • 1. Marc SÁNCHEZ
  • 1. Raphael NIETO
  • 1. Tani BAI
  • 1. Gonzalo VINUESA
  • 1. Gauthier MINGUILLON
  • 1. Alvar GIMENO
  • 1. Alex ALONSO
  • 1. Manuel ALFARO
  • 1. John-Wessel BELL
• Also played:
  • 1. Alvaro Garcia (x2, min 54)
  • 1. Raul Calzon (x1, min 77)
  • 1. Lucas Santamaria (x3, min 61)
  • 1. Ignacio Pineiro (x6, min 3)
  • 1. Alex SALETA (x7, min 66)
  • 1. Pablo Perez (x9, min 75)
  • 1. Bauti Guemes (x14, min 68)
  • 1. Iñaki Mateu (x13, min 70)