Fiji keep Tongans out

Fiji beat Tonga 24-19 in Nuku'alofa on Saturday, surviving a mighty Tongan fightback.

Fiji scored four tries to three but the game, which seemed a done deal, became a scrap for survival for the Fijian visitors.

With 16 minutes to play Fiji led 24-0. Then the Tongans go going. Wings Maikeli Nadridri and Mosese Luveitasau scored tries, and referee Jonathan Kaplan of South Africa awarded a penalty try. Suddenly the score was 24-19 after the homes side had scored three tries, the first by captain Aleki Latui..

Still the Ikale Tahi came back on the attack and it took a tackle by Fijian fullback Norman Ligairi in injury time at the corner to save the math for Fiji.

This defeat knocks Tonga right out of contention as they have now lost all three of their matches in the Pacific Tri-Nations.