Tonga upset Fiji in opener

Perennial whipping boys Tonga upset hosts Fiji 45-21 in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday to grab their first win in the tournament in three years.

Tonga have never finished better than second-to-last in the regional championship which also includes Japan, who play Samoa later Saturday.

But they turned history on its head in Lautoka, outscoring the Fijians five tries to two and holding a healthy 23-9 lead at halftime as they outplayed the hosts in all facets of a match played in perfect conditions.

However, Tonga coach Isitolo Maka said while he was happy with the win, he was not getting carried away.

"I don't think the score reflected the tightness of the game. There were a couple of lucky tries which made the score look bigger than it should have. We won't kid ourselves - we have plenty of work to do."

Fiji struck first with a penalty in the opening minutes by Nicky Little but they were never serious contenders for the remainder of the first half.

A deft counter-attack by Tonga fullback Vungakoto Lilo put flanker and captain Samiu Vahafolau over under the posts with fly-half Kurt Morath adding the conversion to put the visitors into a lead they would never surrender.

Morath, who finished with a match haul of 20 points, added two quick penalties and with 15 minutes gone Tonga were out to a 13-6 lead.

Outside centre Alaska Taufa scored Tonga's second try with Morath landing the conversion and another penalty while Little kicked a third penalty for Fiji to have Tonga ahead 23-9 at the turn.

The visitors continued to dominate through the third quarter and were rewarded with a penalty try when a desperate Fiji pulled down a rolling maul on the line which Morath converted and followed with his fourth penalty.

With time running out, Fiji attempted a comeback with tries to Sekonaia Kalou and Malakai Ravulo and a Little conversion to close the gap to 33-21.

However, the revival was snuffed out when Viliame Longi and Alisona Taumaloi both scored for Tonga in the closing three minutes.

Scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries: Sekonaia Kalou, Malakai Ravulo
Con: Nicky Little
Pens: Little 3

For Tonga:
Tries: Samiu Vahafolau, Alaska Taufa, Penalty try, Viliame Longi, Alisona Taumaloi
Cons: Kurt Morath 4
Pens: Morath 4

AFP