Fiji came from behind to beat Tonga 30 / 22 in a bone-jarring Pacific Nations Cup encounter in Suva on Saturday.
In a clash full of direct running and big tackles, Tonga had every chance to beat their island neighbours for the 1st time since 2011, leading 22 / 16 going into the last 15 minutes before their high error count caught up with them.
There were 3 tries apiece with Fiji scoring 2 of theirs as they controlled the closing stages to make a positive start to the 10th edition of the tournament.
The Pacific Nations Cup – which also includes Samoa, Japan, the United States and Canada – is being played under a new format this year with the 6 teams split into 2 pools.
Each team will play the 3 sides in the opposing pool before the top 2 sides play off for the Cup.
In the only game to be played in the Pacific, with the remainder in the USA and Canada, Tonga rocked the 2013 champions with a punishing start.
With Nili Latu and Taniela Moa leading a straight-up-the-middle approach, they pinned the Fijians deep in the own territory for most of the 1st quarter and were eventually rewarded with a try to Exeter wing Fetu’u Vainikolo.
Moa started the move when he ploughed through a floundering defence before Latu fired a long pass out to Vainikolo who scored in the corner.
It was Tonga’s only reward from their early territorial advantage with Latiume Fosita missing the conversion and 2 close-range penalties.
His kicking woes were symptomatic of Tonga’s high error rate and they were made to pay once Fiji settled into the rhythm of the game and the territory pendulum swung the other way.
After Fiji twice failed with attempts to score tries from lineouts after turning down kickable penalties, they opted for the posts the 3rd time and flyhalf Ben Volavola put them on the board.
They hit the front when Henry Seniloli scored after a big run down the right wing by Lepani Botia who swatted would-be defenders aside with ease.
On the stroke of halftime Tonga switched kickers and were rewarded with a penalty by fullback Vungakoto Lilo to close the gap to 10 / 8.
Tonga regained the lead after halftime with a try to Telusa Veainu, converted by Lilo, and after Volavola put Fiji back in front 16 / 15 with 2 further penalties, Tonga again gained the initiative when Sonatane Takulua scored.
But Fiji were not done and came back with tries to Waisea Nayacalevu and Peni Ravai, both converted by Volavola to seal the match.
Scorers:
Fiji:
- Tries: Henry Seniloli (1), Waisea Nayacalevu (1), Peni Ravai (1)
- Conversions: Ben Volavola (3)
- Penalties: Ben Volavola (3)
Tonga:
- Tries: Fetu’u Vainikolo (1), Telusa Veainu (1), Sonatane Takulua (1)
- Conversions: Vungakoto Lilo (1), Kurt Morath (1)
- Penalties: Vungakoto Lilo (1)
Teams:
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 13 Vereniki Goneva (Captain), 12 Lepani Botia, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Henry Seniloli, 8 Masi Matadigo, 7 Mala Ravulo, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma’afu
Replacements: 16 Talemaitoga Tuapati, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Taniela Koroi, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Nikola Matawalu, 22 Josh Matavesi, 23 Metuisela Talebula.
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Alipate Fatafehi, 12 Sione Piukala, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Nili Latu (Captain), 6 Hale T-Pole, 5 Tukulua Lokotui, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Sona Taumalolo
Replacements: 16 Sefo Sakalia, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Sila Puafisi, 19 Joe Tuineau, 20 Viliami Fihaki, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Kurt Morath, 23 Otulea Katoa.
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
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