Tonga escape Fiji grip 

Having handed Japan an emphatic 57-16 defeat in Fukuoka a week earlier, Tonga come from behind to beat the fancied Fijians in a thrilling match in Gosford. 

Trailing 17-23 with just five minutes to go, the game appeared to have slipped away from Tonga. 

However, in cold and wet conditions the home side rallied one last time before replacement hooker Aleki Lutui crashed over out wide for a try that brought Tonga back to within one point, much to the approval of the 3,582 crowd.

Pierre Hola's conversion sealed victory for the Tongans. 

Neither side allowed the damp conditions to stifle their attacking play with both sets of backs creating opportunities.

However, it was the Tongans, with their powerful forward pack and intelligent kicking game, who settled first with Hola slotting over a drop-goal just three minutes into the match. 

Seremia Bai levelled the scores with a penalty before Fiji forged into the lead after a typically flamboyant back move, started deep inside their own half, was rounded off by Kameli Ratuvou underneath the posts.

Bai converted and then added a penalty shortly afterwards to open up a 13-3 lead for the visitors.  

Tonga, enjoying the better of the forward exchanges, hit back with two minutes to go until the interval with centre Suka Hufanga capitalising on turn over ball inside the Fijian half.

Hola's conversion reduced the deficit to just three points at half time. 

Tonga regained the lead early in the second half after Hola's accurate cross-field kick was gathered in the in-goal area by Saracens wing Tevita Vaikona for a well-finished score.

Hola's conversion gave the home side a deserved 17-13 lead. 

Both coaches made a plethora of substitutions as the game entered the final quarter, and it was Fiji, who were quick to adjust to the changes, who struck with a well-executed try by flying Sevens star Mosese Leveitasu. 

Bai's conversion, followed by a penalty in the 69th minute seemed to have wrapped up the victory for the visitors, before Latui's try and Hola's conversion secured Tonga's first victory over Fiji since 2003.


Tonga 24 Fiji 23
Pacific Five Nations
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Half-time: 10-13
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch Judges: Eva Ma'afi (Tonga), Geoff Acton (Australia)
Att: 3,400

TONGA: 15 Sione Tu’ipulotu, 14 Tevita Tu’ifua, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Hudson Tonga’uiha, 11 Tevita Vaikona, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Soane Havea, 8 Lotu Filipine, 7 Otenili Langilangi (capt), 6 Maama Molitika (Rodney Mahe 66), 5 Milton Ngauamo, 4 Paino Hehea (Chris Hala’ufia 63), 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Ephraim Taukafa (Aleki Lutui 62), 1 Tonga Lea’aetoa
Not used: Ma'afu Pale, Sioeli Nau, Fangatapu Apikatoa, Viliami Hakalo
Coach: Adam Leach
Tries: Hufanga, Vaikona, Lutui; Conversions: Hola (3); Dropped goal: Hola

FIJI: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Mosese Luveitasau, 13 Epeli Ruivadra (Seru Rabeni 56), 12 Kameli Ratuvou, 11 Sekove Leawere (Josevata Tora 70), 10 Seremaia Baikeinuku, 9 Seveci Takamaiwai (Emosi Vucago 59), 8 Sakiusa Matadigo (Netani Talei 59), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 5 Simon Raiwalui (capt), 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Apisai Nagi, 2 Sunia Koto (Joeli Lotawa 73), 1 Josese Bale (Ravuama Samo 77)
Not used: Kiniviliame Salabogi
Coach: Wayne Pivac
Tries: Ratuvou, Luveitasau; Conversions: Baikeinuku (2); Penalty goals: Baikeinuku (3)

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