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11 July, 2003
Young Tongans defeat Fiji
Jim Love's local-based Tongans defeated Fiji 23-22 at Teufaiva Stadium on Friday, coming back from trailing 9-0 after half an hour to take the game two tries to one.
Fiji fly-half Nicky Little kicked five penalty goals to take him to 514 Test points, but it wasn't until Waisale Serevi was introduced to the game in the 70th minute that Fiji managed to score a try to Aisea Tuilevu.
For Tonga, this victory was huge – the local boys showing Mr Love what they can do. For Fiji, it should answer some questions coach Mac McCallion has been asking himself about the value of several players.
Fiji led 9-3 at the break with Little kicking three penalty goals to one from Sateki Tu’ipolotu.
But Tonga began applying the pressure early in the second half when Fiji skipper Alifereti Doviverata was penalised for coming in at the side of the ruck and Tu’ipolotu narrowed the deficit to three points.
For Doviverata, the disappointing result means three losses from four as captain, the record defeats in Italy and France in 2001 being his other two Tests in charge.
The first try of the game came in the 54th minute when Sione Ngauamo touched down to give the Ikale Tahi the lead for the first time.
Tu’ipolotu converted to make it 13-9.
Little and Tu’ipolotu traded penalty goals to take the score to 16-15 in Tonga’s favour before the Tongan fullback Lisiate 'Ulufonua dotted down a try with a quarter of an hour remaining.
At 23-15, Mr McCallion began using his replacements – Kitione Salawa came into the back row, Seru Rabeni replaced Alfie Uluinayau at second-five eighth, while Serevi slotted in at fly-half to push Little to fullback as Atonio Nariva exited the field.
As is often the case, Serevi began switching the play back and forth until the gaps came, Tuilevu charging through for another try – his ninth in 13 Tests.
Little converted and Fiji were within a point with a minute to play.
Fiji had the chance to snatch the match, but a poor pass from halfback Moses Rauluni gave Serevi little chance for a dropped goal.
Friday 11 July, 2003
Tonga 23 Fiji 22
Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa
Half-time: 3-9
TONGA: 15 Lisiate 'Ulufonua, 14 Sila Va'enuku, 13 Sukanaivalu Huganga, 12 Laukau Lile, 11 Taniela Tulia, 10 Sateki Tu'ipolotu, 9 Sioeli Nau, 8 Benhur Kivalu, 7 Sione Tu'amoheloa, 6 'Inoke Afeaki (capt) (Tevita Fifita), 5 'Emosi Kauhanga, 4 Viliami Vaki, 3 Heamani Lavaka, 2 'Ifalemi Taukafa (Viliami Ma'asi), 1 Kafalosi Tonga.
Not used: Lotu Tonga, Christopher Hala'ufia, Soane Havea, Kahea Tu'akoi, Solomone Matangi
Tries: Nau, 'Ulufonua; Conversions: Tu’ipolotu (2); Penalty goals: Tu’ipolotu (3)
FIJI: 15 Atonio Nariva (Waisale Serevi 68), 14 Sekove Leawere, 13 Aisea Tuilevu, 12 Alfie Uluinayau (Seru Rabeni 55), 11 Isaac Mow, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Mosese Rauluni, 8 Alifereti Doviverata (capt), 7 Kolinio Sewabu (Kitione Salawa 60), 6 Alivereti Mocelutu (Sisa Koyamaibole 75), 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Apenisa Naevo, 3 Joeli Veitayaki, 2 Viliame Gadolo, 1 Isaia Rasila
Not used: Naca Seru, Epeli Ruivadra
Try: Tuilevu; Conversion: Little; Penalty goals: Little (5)
Scoring sequence (Tonga first)
19min Penalty goal Fiji, Little; 0-3
24min Penalty goal Fiji, Little; 0-6
38min Penalty goal Fiji, Little; 0-9
43min Penalty goal Tonga, Sateki Tu’ipolotu; 3-9
Half-time
44min Penalty goal Tonga, Tu’ipolotu; 6-9
54min Try Tonga, Sioeli Nau, conversion Tu’ipolotu; 13-9
57min Penalty goal Fiji, Little; 13-12
59min Penalty goal Tonga, Tu’ipolotu; 16-12
62min Penalty goal Fiji, Little; 16-15
65min Try Tonga, Lisiate 'Ulufonua, conversion Tu’ipolotu; 23-15
80min Try Fiji Tuilevu, conversion Little; 23-22
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