By Iliesa Tora, of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission
The Flying Fijians have topped the Pacific pool of the Pacific Nations Cup 2024 series, following a big 50-19 win over Tonga in Nuku’alofa on Friday.
Crown Prince Tupouto’a and around 4000 Tongans watched the battle, the highlight of 100 years of rugby celebrations, marking the first time the two countries met in a Test match in 1924. Photo: Screengrab / RugbyPass TV
That means they go to the semi-finals in Tokyo next weekend, meeting up with either Japan or the USA, in the Asia pool.
Manu Samoa will join them as the runner-up from the Pacific.
Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere, who also scored a try in the game, said they had to cut out indiscipline to get the win.
He said they had to get back to upping their discipline, after they had let Tonga into the game midway in the first half.
“We spoke about discipline because towards the back end of the first half we dropped and let Tonga into the game,” he said.
“We had a bye week last week and worked hard towards this game, knowing that Tonga will be tough playing on their home ground.”
His Tongan counterpart and ‘Ikale Tahi captain, Ben Tameifuna, said they fought hard and thanked his warriors for staying in the game.
“It’s always hard playing against our Fijian brothers,” he said.
He said the young side is on a learning curve and will only get better.
“This is the stepping stone for us as Ikale Tahi,” he said.
“Our focus is giving our young boys the opportunity for putting their hands up. It’s a whole new experience for these new guys and it is good to expose them to the opportunity now.”
Tonga’s Crown Prince Tupouto’a meets Fijian captain Tevita Ikanivere before the match. Photo: Tonga Rugby Union
The Flying Fijians held on with an early 19-0 lead in the first quarter of the game to claim another Tongan scalp, in the countries 95th Test match in 100 years.
Three quick tries within that time saw the side lead the home team, who suddenly came alive after that as Fiji were reduced to 14 players.
Iosefo Masi, captain Ikanivere and flanker Elia Canakaivata had their names on the scoresheet early.
In the end Masi and Canakaivata had claimed two tries each, from their team’s total of seven tries.
Fijian centre Adrea Cocagi charged into lock forward Harison Mataele in a ruck and was yellow-carded, leaving Fiji with 14 players mid-way through the game. That was later upgraded to a Red card, for 20 minutes.
Tonga attacked from the ensuing penalty and flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini’s chip over the Fijian defense saw inside centre Fetuli Paea pick up and dived over. Pellegrini converted as Fiji led 19-7.
Then when the Fijians were still trying to recover from that shock outside centre Fine Inisi finished off a good movement from the Tongans inside the 20 minutes mark. Pellegrini had floated a chip kick over the Fijian defense again after a good scrum win and the conversion saw the home side close to gap to 19-14.
Tonga had Fiji under pressure and won a number of penalty calls, pinning the Fijians inside their 22 metre zone.
A penalty and scrum in front of the posts saw Tonga’s Pellegrini dummy and dive over to score, levelling the scores at 19-all.
Fiji were back to 15 players with replacement player Inia Tabuavou took the field close to halftime.
Putting Tonga under pressure the Fijians won a lineout penalty and Canakaivata crashed through near the sideline, with Caleb Muntz converting as Fiji led 26-19 at the halftime mark.
‘Ikale Tahi captain Ben Tameifuna ready to lead his side out against Fiji. Photo: Tonga Rugby Union
Second half battle
Referee Agnus Gardiner kept a tight control of the game, but let the teams run at every opportunity.
It was a tighter battle at the resumption of the second half, as both teams battled it out for possession and the advantage.
Fiji finally got the chance when Muntz stepped up to take a shot at goal to give his side a 29-19 lead after 15 minutes.
Then replacement Tabuavou finished off a sevens style Fijian move, dragging tacklers with him over the line.
Muntz converted and at 36-19 it looked as if the Tongans were going to be shut down again.
With around 300 Fijians cheering for them, the visitors then slowly took control of the rest of the game.
Fijian Drua captain Ratu Meli Derenalagi crashed his way through for his try after having come up short just a few seconds earlier, with Muntz converting for a 43-19 lead.
Winger Vuata Karawalevu dotted down twice on both sides of the field but the TMO ruled a knock-on and a forward pass in the build up to his final runs.
But Iosefo Masi claimed an intercept and raced away untouched to score under the crossbar and in between the posts, reading a Tongan set move from a scrum. Muntz’ conversion saw the Fijians lead 50-19.
Crown Prince Tupouto’a and around 4000 Tongans watched the battle, the highlight of 100 years of rugby celebrations, marking the first time the two countries met in a Test match in 1924.
The win was also a great birthday present for Fijian captain Ikanivere, who celebrated his birthday today. A special cake gifted by members of the Fijian community was presented to him after the game to celebrate the special day.
Both Fiji and Tonga will head to Japan on Monday, the Fijians playing in the semi-finals while Tonga meets Canada in the fifth place play-off.
Fijians at Teufaiva Park. Photo: Supplied
