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Defending champions Fiji won their Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva with a convincing 32-10 win. They only pulled away in the second half after a spirited showing from the ‘Ikale Tahi saw a 17-10 halftime score.
As expected, it was the Fijians' ball-in-hand lay that was destructive. The side ran the width of the field to punch holes in the experienced Tongan defence, and in total, ran in four tries in the win as they look to set a marker to defend their title, with Japan again looking like their closest rival.
Seta Tamanivalu, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Tevita Ikanivere, and Taniela Rakuro were the try-scorers for the victors. The Flying Fijians had twice as many carries, and the post-contact meters read 299m vs 84m from their six linebreaks.
‘Ikale Tahi scrum-half Augustine Pulu actually opened the scoring in the match within a couple of minutes, and it served as the catalyst for the hosts to click into gear, but it was still a slow start, which is not what they wanted. Tonga’s King Tupou VI watched on as he hoped the Ikale Tahi would pull off an upset, but it was not to be.
Tonga started and finished the opening half well with an early try and last minute penalty but Fiji pulled away and Tonga had a yellow card for backrow Siosiua Moala in the opening half, and his second later in the game, saw him dismissed.
The back row of Fiji were key ingredients in the win as Elia Canakaivata, Etonia Waqa and Viliame Mata all put in huge shifts.
Fiji controlled the possession and territory as the game went on but they were made to work on breaking down Tonga’s resolute defence. The Tongans made 123 tackles compared to the 55 from Fiji, and an eye-watering 35 missed tackles from the visitors.
Fiji coach Mick Byrne said, “It was a tough one, our first game in. You could see they were match-hardened, and they started very well. We didn’t get our game going as well as we would have liked, and they controlled the tempo. We’ll take some learnings from that.”
Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere was impactful in the loose and accurate with his lineout throws.
He added, “We are a bit disappointed with our start. We talked about coming out in the first 20 and ‘welcoming’ Tonga. But, thankful for the boys coming back with great spirit and getting the win.
We will take the win and celebrate tonight, but definitely there's still room for improvement before we meet Samoa."
One of those experienced Tongan heads is fullback Salesi Piutau, who said after the whistle. “We started well, but discipline kept us in our own half and against a good team like Fiji, they’ll make the most of those chances and turn them into points.”
On the positive side for the visitors, they were good at stealing the ball and won 11 turnovers, but their discipline was twice as poor as Fiji according to the stats. Former Wales and Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo also made his Tonga debut off the bench.
Tonga coach Nili Latu concluded, “Our mission is to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. We’re on the right track. We’ll regroup and go again.”