TEIVOVO.COM – TEAM FIJI

16 June, 2001

Fiji hold on to beat Tongan

By Jeremy Duxbury

Fiji withheld a second-half comeback from Tonga to defeat the Ikale Tahi 25-20 at Lautoka’s Churchill Park in the Pacific Rim championship on Saturday.

Two tries from fullback Norman Ligairi and one from flying winger Vilimoni Delasau in the opening half hour had given the home team a 25-3 lead, but the Fijians appeared to lose heart after the break and let the Tongans claw their way back into the game.

Fiji coach Greg Smith was furious at the way his team threw away the chance of a bonus point.

"We were so superior, it was a joke," he said of the first half performance. "We butchered another bonus point there. The boys just didn’t want to win enough."

The Fijian backline swung into action early with Delasau romping 50 metres down the left wing in the third minute to get the crowd fired up.

His run resulted in a penalty on the Tongan 22 that Nicky Little slotted through the posts for a 3-0 lead.

Minutes later, centre Vili Satala broke the Tongan defence and set up Ligairi for his first try.

In the 21st minute, Ligairi burst through from the edge of a ruck for his second try to make the scoreline 17-3 once Little had converted.

Fiji continued to pile on the pressure as the forwards played with far more conviction than when they lost in Nuku’alofa three weeks ago.

Little converted another penalty, though the normally composed goal kicker was below his best overall, missing three straightforward attempts.

Fiji’s third try came on the half hour when Seremaia Bai and Satala linked up to set up Delasau in the corner. And at 25-3, Fiji were cruising.

Tongan coach Tuivaita Ueleni lamented his team’s slow start, saying his boys had begun nervously in front of the vocal crowd.

"We played with a lack of urgency in the first half," Ueleni said. "The Fiji backs were on form, and their forwards much improved from last month’s match."

After the break, Fiji elected to kick for goal when a fourth try was needed for the bonus point that would have put them back in the running for a semi-final spot next month in Japan.

Tonga came back with two tries to replacement winger Solomone Matangi – fullback Sengili Tu’ihalamaka converting both from the touchline to earn a bonus point.

The two teams are now tied on seven points while Samoa sit atop the table with nine.

Fiji face Samoa next week in Apia, then Tonga entertain the Samoans on 30 June in Nuku’alofa.


Fiji 25 Tonga 20
Half-time: 25-6

Fiji: Tries: Norman Ligairi (2), Vilimoni Delasau. Conversions: Nicky Little (2). Penalty Goals: Nicky Little (2).

Tonga: Tries: Solomone Matangi (2). Conversions: Sengili Tu’ihalamaka (2). Penalty Goals: Sengili Tu’ihalamaka (2)

Fiji (15-1): Norman Ligairi (Kameli Natoba), Dan Baleinadogo (Saimoni Rokini), Vili Satala, Seremaia Bai (Sami Rabaka), Vilimoni Delasau, Nicky Little, Jacob Rauluni, Inoke Male, Alifereti Doviverata, Jope Tuikabe, Sisa Koyamaibole, Api Naevo (Emori Katalau), Epeli Ratuniata (Peniasi Damu), Greg Smith (captain – Henry Qiodravu), Henry Qiodravu (Isaia Rasila).

Tonga (15-1): Sengili Tu’ihalamaka, ‘Aisea Havili, Salesi Finau, Semi Taupeaafe, Taunaholo Taufahema (Solomone Matangi), Elisi Vunipola (captain), Sioeli Nau (Sione Mone Tu’ipulotu), Manako Tonga, Christopher Hala’ufia (yellow card), Katilimoni Tu’ipulotu (Tevita Fifita), Nisifolo Naufahu (Fakataha Molitika), Vilami Vaki, Ta’u Fainga’anuku, Viliami Ma’asi, Taufa’ao Felise (‘Aleki Lutui).

Referee: Masunu Talapusi (Samoa)
Att: 8,000