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Fiji defeated Tonga by a score of 30-22 as the Pacific Nations Cup kicked off at ANZ National Stadium in Suva early Saturday morning. The scrappy match saw both sides concede numerous penalties, and it was the boot of Ben Volavola that made the difference in the end. The new Crusaders signing knocked over six from seven shots at goal for a personal tally of 15 points in his first international start.
Meanwhile his opposite number Latiume Fosita struggled with the boot, missing three early chances before handing over the kicking duties to first Vunga Lilo and then Kurt Morath.
Fetu’u Vainikolo got Tonga off to a flying start, receiving a huge miss pass from captain Nili Latu and driving through the tackle of fullback Kini Murimurivalu to touch down in the corner.
Volavola added a penalty before a huge break from Levani Botia saw the centre blast through both Hale T-Pole and Taniela Moa before putting Henry Seniloli away for a cracking seven-pointer. Lilo replied with a kick on the stroke of halftime to keep Tonga within two points.
The match livened up in the second half, with Telusa Veainu scoring a try on debut as he cut a nice line off a line break from Tane Takulua. Not long after Takulua was further rewarded with a score of his own, and the Ikale Tahi had a six point lead heading into the final quarter, but Fiji replied through Waisea Nayacalevu and Peni Ravai to take the game out of reach.
Fiji start their PNC campaign with a win, and will now travel stateside to face Samoa in Sacramento on July 24. Meanwhile Tonga will look to rebound further north in Burnaby, British Columbia, where they face Canada on the same day.
FIJI 30
Tries – H. Seniloli (38), W. Nayacalevu (65), P. Ravai (72)
Cons – B. Volavola 3 (38, 66, 73)
Pens – B. Volavola 3 (23, 50, 56)
TONGA 22
Tries – F. Vainikolo (5), T. Veainu (43), T. Takulua (60)
Cons – V. Lilo (44), K. Morath (61)
Pens – V. Lilo (40)
FIJI
1 C. Ma’afu (P. Ravai 67) 2 S. Koto (T. Tuapati 55) 3 M. Saulo 4 T. Cavubati (N. Soqeta 71) 5 L. Nakarawa 6 D. Waqaniburotu 7 M. Ravulo 8 M. Matadigo (P. Yato 75) 9 H. Seniloli (N. Matawalu 62) 10 B. Volavola (J. Matavesi 76) 11 A. Tikoirotuma 12 L. Botia 13 V. Goneva (capt.) 14 W. Nayacalevu 15 K. Murimurivalu
Not used: T. Koroi, M. Talebula
TONGA
1 S. Taumalolo (T. Mailau 51) 2 E. Taione 3 H. Aulika (S. Puafisi 51) 4 S. Mafi (U. Kolo’ofai 67) 5 J. Tu’ineau 6 H. T-Pole (V. Fihaki 70) 7 N. Latu (capt.) 8 V. Ma’afu 9 T. Moa (T. Takulua HT) 10 L. Fosita (O. Katoa 76) 11 F. Vainikolo 12 S. Piukala 13 A. Fatafehi (K. Morath 57) 14 T. Veainu 15 V. Lilo
Not used: S. Sakalia
