Error-prone Tonga get win

Tonga finished their World Cup with an entertaining 31-19 win over the United States yesterday. The victors dominated possession and territory but made some glaring handling and tactical errors but did enough to score their only win in Japan. Two tries in three minutes from substitute Mike Te’o turned the game on its head. The fullback, left on the bench to start with, got the first after No 8 Cam Doolan sent him away with a tasty off-load and Te’o produced a big right-foot step to beat the last defender. His next came when he was left unmarked on the right wing to stroll over. Tonga 31 (Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Malietoa Hingano, Siale Piutau, Telusa Veainu tries; Sonatane Takulua 2 conversions, penalty, James Faiva conversion, Piutau conversion) United States 19 (Mike Te’o 2, Tony Lamborn tries; AJ MacGinty 2 conversions). HT: 7-12. Pictured, Siale Piutau scores for Tonga. Three-time Olympic gold medallist Pete Reed is recovering from a spinal stroke. The retired rower from Great Britain announced the news on social media this week in a video. ‘‘I’ve got a piece of shocking news,’’ Reed said. ‘‘I’ve had a spinal stroke. They’re very rare. I’m very, very well. There are a lot of positives to take out of it; not least my mindset from the last 20 years or so in sport will set me up well for rehab.’’ Reed won gold medals at three consecutive Olympics – in the men’s coxless four in Beijing in 2008 and London 2012, before being part of the victorious eight at Rio 2016. Reed also won five world championship golds and three silvers.