The FMF Flying Fijians went down 21-15 to a gutsy Tongan outfit in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup in Lautoka on Saturday despite leading 15-6 at the break.

This was Tonga’s first win in the tournament and their first victory at Churchill Park after 44 years of trying.

Second half tries from impressive No.8 Samiu Vahafolau, centre Suka Hufanga, and hooker Aleki Lutui saw the Tongans come back strongly as Fiji struggled to find their rhythm and resorted to counter-attacks.

Lock Kele Leawere and inside centre Gabiriele Lovobalavu had given Fiji a 15-3 advantage in the first half, but after the break Tonga took control and showed more determination.

Quotes:

Ilivasi Tabua (FMF Flying Fijians coach)
“We knew that they would play it close and defend well in the rucks and the scrums. That’s their strong points. We played well in the first half but our scrimmaging was pushed around after the break and we didn’t control the game. The subs that came in didn’t hold the scrums.”

“We gave away so many penalties. We were penalised at the breakdowns for coming in at the wrong side of the rucks. Our line-outs were not really there and these are areas we need to work on before the game against Australia A next week.”

“Now I have ideas of how each players stands as we’re building up the team for the World Cup."

Quddus Fielea (Tonga coach)

“We came back in the second half with full determination. The boys had more patience and controlled the game then followed the momentum.”

“Samiu Vahafolau played very well at No.8. He was winning balls in the line-outs, fast to the breakdown, and put in some heavy tackles to put pressure on the Fijians. And I thought our front rowers were awesome.”

Match Statistics

15		21
Fiji		Tonga
Tournament: Pacific Nations Cup Date: Saturday 16 Jun 2007 Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka Crowd: 3500 Half-time: 15-6 Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) Touch judges: James Lecki (Australia), Samuela Tuidraki (Fiji) Fiji Game Number: 604 Fiji Test Match Number: 257

						FIJI		TONGA
Card	PTS	D	P	C	T	PLAYER	V	PLAYER	T	C	P	D	PTS	Card
	0	-	-	-	-	Ligairi, Norman	15	Mesiu Lemoto	-	-	2	-	6
	0	-	-	-	-	Tagicakibau, Michael	14	Sione Fonua	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Ratuvou, Kameli	13	Suka Hufanga	1	-	-	-	5
	5	-	-	-	1	Lovobalavu, Gabiriele	12	Hudson Tonga'uiha	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Neivua, Isoa	11	Seti Kiole	-	-	-	-	0
	5	-	1	1	-	Luveniyali, Waisea	10	Tevita Tu'ifua	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Rauluni, Mosese	9	Soane Havea	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Koyamaibole, Sisa	8	Samiu Vahafalau	1	-	-	-	5
	0	-	-	-	-	Ratuva, Aca	7	Nili Latu (capt)	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Thomas, Deryck	6	Hale T-Pole	-	-	-	-	0
	5	-	-	-	1	Leawere, Kele	5	Chris Hala'ufia	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Rawaqa, Ifereimi	4	Sione Kalamafoni	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Qiodravu, Henry	3	Tevita Taumoepeau	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Koto, Sunia	2	Aleki Lutui	1	-	-	-	5
	0	-	-	-	-	Dewes, Graham	1	Taufa'ao Filise	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Sauturaga, Vereniki   (Koto Sunia)	16	Feki Moala	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Turukawa, Apisai   (Qiodravu Henry)	17	Toma Toke	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Tonowai, Dale   (Thomas Deryck)	18	Teu'i Muli Kaufusi	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Doviverata, Alifereti   (Koyamaibole Sisa)	19	Isileli Fine	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Daunivucu, Jone	20	Tevita Ahoafi	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Waqa, Sisa	21	Siua Taumololo	-	-	-	-	0
	0	-	-	-	-	Goneva, Vereniki   (Tagicakibau Michael)	22	Epeli Taione	-	-	-	-	0
Coach: Ilivasi Tabua								Coach: Quddus Fielea

Key:

Captain
Yellow Card
Red Card
Sub In
Sub Out
Bloodbin

Scoring Sequence

03 min - PEN GOAL for Fiji by Luveniyali, Waisea 3-0 05 min - PEN GOAL MISSED for Tonga by Mesiu Lemoto 3-0 13 min - TRY for Fiji by Leawere, Kele 8-0 13 min - CONVERSION MISSED for Fiji by Luveniyali, Waisea 8-0 17 min - PEN GOAL MISSED for Tonga by Mesiu Lemoto 8-0 24 min - PEN GOAL for Tonga by Mesiu Lemoto 8-3 36 min - PEN GOAL MISSED for Tonga by Mesiu Lemoto 8-3 39 min - TRY for Fiji by Lovobalavu, Gabiriele 13-3 39 min - CONVERSION for Fiji by Luveniyali, Waisea 15-3 Half-Time 41 min - PEN GOAL for Tonga by Mesiu Lemoto 15-6 63 min - TRY for Tonga by Suka Hufanga 15-11 63 min - CONVERSION MISSED for Tonga by Mesiu Lemoto 15-11 69 min - TRY for Tonga by Aleki Lutui 15-16 69 min - CONVERSION MISSED for Tonga by Mesiu Lemoto 15-16 87 min - TRY for Tonga by Samiu Vahafalau 15-21 87 min - CONVERSION MISSED for Tonga by Mesiu Lemoto 15-21 Full-Time