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25May, 2001
Tonga down lacklustre Fiji
By Jeremy Duxbury
Tonga opened their account in the Pacific Rim championship with a surprisingly easy 31-26 win over a stagnant Fiji at Teufaiva Stadium, their first victory over their island neighbours since 1996.
Though Fiji managed to stay in the game via the boot of fly-half Nicky Little, who kicked 21 points, there was no question as to which team wanted to win the most.
"They bashed us, basically," Fiji coach Greg Smith admitted afterwards. "And quite frankly, it was embarrassing at times."
"Some of my players looked a little gun-shy, and that worries me," he said. "This is a meant to be a body contact sport."
Tonga, who always manage to lift their game when King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV is present, outscored Fiji three tries to one, and would have won by a far greater margin had local-based fullback Kusitafu Tonga not been so woeful with his penalty kicking.
Tongan coach Tu'ivaita Ueleni, taking charge for the first time, said his tactics were to hit their opponents hard up the middle, and let the backs run into the spaces created.
"We expected Fiji to be a lot tougher," Ueleni said, "I thought they would have more aggression."
Fiji, starting nervously, kicked away possession badly and were hesitant going forward.
In the 10th minute, Tongan flanker Tevita Fifita shrugged off two weak tackle attempts and drove for the line to give the home team a 5-0 start.
Former Canberra Raiders Rugby League star Salesi Finau then clattered into Little, catching him around the neck and giving away a simple three-pointer in front of his posts.
Skipper ‘Elisi Vunipola suffered for Finau’s sins, receiving a yellow card in a case of mistaken identity.
Midway through the half, Little clipped a sneaky drop goal through the posts to put Fiji briefly into the lead.
But Tonga capitalised on some sloppy Fijian defending with a "gift- try" to Taunaholo Taufahema and eight points from fullback Kusitafu Tonga to send them into the break leading 18-12.
The crowd waited patiently for Fiji to click into gear and show some of their famous flair, but it never came.
The Fijians showed more competitiveness in the second half, but turned over possession far too much.
Another penalty goal to Little made it 18-15 in Tonga’s favour after Fijian winger Vilimone Delasau produced a magical run down the left.
Indeed, Delasau had a terrific game, and at one time ran around his own goalposts before sidestepping all the way into enemy territory.
Taufahema scored his second try on an overlap, but Little kept Fiji close with two more penalty goals after more Tongan indiscipline.
At 28-21, Fiji finally crossed the Tongan line, replacement flanker Jope Tuikabe scoring in the corner.
Little suffered his first missed kick of the day when Fiji needed it most, and after some heart-stopping action in injury-time, Tonga held on for the win.
Tonga (1-15): Ta’u Fainga’nuku, ‘Aleki Lutui, Tevita Taumoepeau, Viliami Vaki, Nisifolo Naufahu, Tevita Fifita, Christopher Hala’ufia, Manako Tonga (Viliami Ma’asi), Sione Mone Tu’ipolotu, ‘Elisi Vunipola (captain), Taunaholo Taufahema, Salesi Finau (Taufa’ao Filise), Siua Taumalolo, Aisea Havili, Kusitafu Tonga.
Tries: Taunaholo Taufahema (2), Tevita Fifita.
Conversions: Kusitafu Tonga (2).
Penalty goals: Kusitafu Tonga (4)
Yellow Card: 'Elisi Vunipola
Fiji (1-15): Henry Qiodravu (Isaia Rasila), Greg Smith (captain), Joeli Veitayaki (Peniasi Damu), Emori Katalau, Api Naevo, Alifereti Doviverata, Iosefo Koroiyadi (Jope Tuikabe), Alivereti Mocelutu (Inoke Male), Moses Rauluni (Sami Rabaka), Nicky Little, Vilimone Delasau, Seremaia Bai, Vili Satala, Dan Baleinadogo, Kameli Natoba (Alfred Uluinayau).
Try: Jope Tuikabe
Penalty goals: Nicky Little (6). Dropped goal: Nicky Little.
Half-time: 18-12
Referee: Fetalaiga Tapunuu (Samoa)
Crowd: 6,000
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