Fiji battles past Tonga in Rugby World Cup warm-up match – Rugby news
Fiji thumped Tonga by 27-12 in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match played on August 13 in Lautoka.
Fiji scored three tries to down the Tongan side with a dominating approach. The Tongan side remained chasing the Pacific Nation team in the whole game as Fiji made too much attacks on their scorning lines.
Fiji had taken a massive lead of 21-5 over Tonga after the end of first half and further increased it to 27-12 at the end of second half. Meanwhile, Tonga proved a bite of cake for Fiji as they failed even to give any tough time to their rivals. Earlier,
Tonga had outclassed the Fijians by a monstrous total of 45-21 in Pacific Nations Cup but here in Lautoka they proved underdogs before the attacking Fijians.
Vereniki Goneva scored the first try of the match shortly after the kick off and Seremaia Bai the vice captain of Fiji enhanced the lead to 7-0 during the fourth minute. Rupeni Nasiga and Kini Murimurivalu also added one each tries in their team’s total
and Bai was accurate with his boots every time.
Seremaia Bai helped his side with 12 individual points in the match to bag a crucial victory before the start of Rugby World Cup 2011.
Talking to the reporters in a pitch side interview Fijian skipper Deacon Manu appreciated his side for their impressive outgo. Manu said that, “The preparation for this game and the World Cup in general has been pretty intense and I can say this win is merely
because of that .We were focused on a lot of things to improve on in this game, especially our scrum and defence and I am pretty happy with it.”
Meanwhile, Viliame Iongi the Tongan back rower landed with couple of tries behind the Fijian lines. Samisoni Fisilau kicked the only conversion shot for his team.
Teams:
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Seremaia Bai (vice-capt), 11 Adriu Delai, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Vitori Buatava, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Rupeni
Nasiga, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Maafu,
Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Waisea Daveta, 18 Jovilisi Domolailai, 19 Masi Matadigo, 20 Waisale Vatuvoka, 21 Ravai Fatiaki, 22 Iliesa Keresoni
Tonga: 15 Viliame Iongi, 14 William Helu, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Andrew Mailei, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Samisoni Fisilau, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Sione Vaiomo'unga, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Paino Hehea, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Halani
Aulika, 2 Aleki Lutui (captain), 1 Alisona Taumalolo
Replacements: 16 Ephraim Taukafa, 17 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 18 Sione Timani, 19 Samiu Vahafolau, 20 Tomasi Palu, 21 Siale Piutau, 22 Vungakoto Lilo
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