Fiji too strong for Tonga
Fiji ended a three-year losing streak against Pacific neighbor Tonga when it won its opening match in rugby’s Pacific Nations Cup 36-22 on Saturday in the Tongan capital.
Ireland-based wing Timoci Nagusa scored two first-half tries as Fiji built a 19-8 lead by halftime, then weathered a strong revival by Tonga which cut its lead to 26-22 midway through the second half.
Prop Viliame Seuseu, Sunia Koto and rugby league convert Alipati Tani also scored tries for Fiji while fullback Dan Rawaqa overcame a shaky start to convert four of Fiji’s five tries and added a penalty. He finished with 11 points. Rawaqa’s penalty in the 76th minute and a try by flyhalf Tani right on fulltime inflated Fiji’s winning margin.
Tonga scored the first try of the match after only two minutes,capitalizing on a defensive error by Rawaqa who also missed two early shots at goal. Nagusa tied the scores with his first try but Tonga pulled ahead again with a penalty eight minutes before halftime.
Seuseu’s try four minutes from the interval and Nagusa’s second just before the break gave Fiji breathing space.
Tonga cut the lead to 19-15 with its second try before Fiji pulled ahead again, 26-15, with a try to Koto, created by a turnover by flanker Samu Bola.
A penalty try from a collapsed scrum, which saw Fiji prop Graham Dewes sinbinned, brought Tonga back within four points at 26-22 before Rawaqa’s penalty and Tani’s last-gasp try.
The Cup also involves Japan, Samoa and a junior New Zealand team.
“I am feeling very good for the players,” Fiji coach Ilivasa Tabua said.
“We set ourselves a goal at the beginning of the PNC to start off well here in Tonga. This is a beginning of it and we want to continue like this (in Fiji) next week.”
The remaining matches in the Pacific tournament will be played in Fiji, beginning next Thursday when Japan meets Samoa and the Junior All Blacks take on Fiji.
Scorers:
Fiji
Tries: Timoci Nagusa 2, Viliame Seuseu, Sunia Koto, Alipati
Noilea
Con: Taniela Rawaqa 4
Pen: Taniela Rawaqa
Tonga
Tries: Alapeti Fatafehi, Toma Toke, Vungakoto Lilo
Con: Tevita Halifonua 2
Pen: Tevita Halifonua
