Tonga sign off in style

Saturday 05th July 2008

Tonga finished their IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2008 campaign on a high by defeating Fiji 27-16 at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa on Saturday.

In victory, they secured their first win of the season to the delight of the watching King Taufa'ahu Tupou V of Tonga.

The Tongans had lost on the road to New Zealand Maori (20-9), Japan (35-13) and Australia A (90-7) before collecting a first bonus point in losing 20-15 to Samoa last weekend, but they had never lost to Fiji since the PNC began in 2006.

Both sides made their intentions clear early on with a hard and fast start to what was an entertaining and heart-stopping match, Fiji enjoying the wealth of possession and perhaps ruing their failure to score a try or two during this time.

Tonga dug deep and seized their first real opportunity when their powerhouse forward pack drove on and returned to halfway with a try for captain and flanker Nili Latu, one of his side's stars at Rugby World Cup 2007.

Fiji did play their running game and continued to punch holes in the centres, although this flair caused the home crowd to go wild and produce even more noise when a robust Tongan ended the movement with a great tackle.

The home side seemed to get more bulletproof as the game went on, the chance to impress on home soil kept them charging and in the end Tonga were simply too strong, their pack laying the platform for the victory.

Epeli Taione caught the eye in the centre, carving up the metres to earn his reward with a late try to put the gloss on a Tongan victory that was followed by scenes of dancing and hugging as the crowd joined their heroes on the pitch in celebration.

The final round of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2008 continues with Samoa entertaining Japan at Apia Park on Saturday before Australia A and New Zealand Maori clash in Sydney to determine who gets their hands on the silverware.

Tonga: 15 Lilo Vungakoto, 14 Pone Samisoni, 13 Hudoan Tonga'uhia, 12 Epeli Taione, 11 Suka Hufanga, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Enele Taufa, 8 Samiu Vahafolau, 7 Nili Latu (capt), 6 Hale T Pole, 5 Paino Hehea, 4 Milton Ngauamo, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Ephraim Taukafa, 1 Semisi Telefoni.
Replacements: 16 Ma'asi Viliami, 17 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 18 Joshua Afu, 19 Vilii Vaki, 20 Soane Havea, 21 Fangatapu Apikatoa, 22 Seti Kiole.

Fiji: 15 Dan Rawaqa, 14 Jerry Tuilevu, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Saula Radidi (Marika Vakacegu), 11 Vereniki Goneva (Michael Tagicakibau), 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Aporosa Vata, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Aca Ratuva, 5 Deryck Thomas, 4 Josefa Domolailai, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes
Replacements: 16 Vereniki Sauturaga, 17 Viliame Seuseu, 18 Sailosi Rabonaqica, 19 Rupeni Nasiga, 20 Nemia Kenatale, 21 Jonetani Ralulu, 22 Iliesa Keresoni.

Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy)

With thanks to the IRB