COVENTRY Rugby fly-half Pat Pellegrini scored a sensational solo try for Tonga in just his second appearance at the Rugby World Cup.
The 23-year-old featured from the bench against South Africa to score a 73rd minute try, running from inside the Tonga half before collecting his own chip ahead and darting inside to touch down.
And the try wowed the crowed inside Marseille’s 67,000 capacity Stade Velodrome stadium while drawing the adulation of the rugby world in one of the tournament’s most memorable moments to date.
Sensational end-to-end rugby! 💯
Patrick Pellegrini collects from his own kicks to get Tonga's THIRD against the Springboks 👏 pic.twitter.com/tozleQL5Sx
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) October 1, 2023
Tonga went on to lose the game 49-18 and are yet to register a victory at this year’s World Cup following defeats to Ireland and Scotland.
Left out of Tonga’s initial 33-man squad, the fly-half made his World Cup debut as a late replacement against Scotland after flying out to France last month as an injury replacement.
Pellegrini showcased his talent on the world stage, scoring just two minutes after entering the fray against South Africa.
Only last month, Pellegrini started in Coventry’s Premiership Rugby Cup opener against Saracens.
Tonga finish their World Cup campaign against Romania on Sunday, October 8 with kick-off at 4.45pm UK time with Pellegrini to return to Coventry following the conclusion of the tournament.
