The Vodafone Flying Fijians put on a clinical performance to thrash star studded Tonga 36-0 in the Pacific Nations Cup at the HFC Bank Stadium this afternoon.
Tevita Ratuva opened the scoring in the 6th minute before Jiuta Wainiqolo crossed over in the corner to extend Fiji’s lead.
Kalaveti Ravouvou then scored Fiji’s third try on his debut to put Fiji in a commanding position.
Fiji were down to 14-men in the first half after Teti Tela was shown a yellow card for throwing the ball away.
However, it did not make much of a difference as Frank Lomani kicked a penalty to extend Fiji’s lead to 22-0 at the break.
The Flying Fijians continued their dominance in the second half and fullback Setareki Tuicuvu scored their 4th try after brilliant work from captain Waisea Nayacalevu.
Vinaya Habosi then capped of a wonderful performance with a try on debut.
The much talked about Israel Folau was quiet in the early stages before being replaced due to an injury.
In another match, Samoa stunned Australia A 31-26.
The Flying Fijians will now take on Australia A in their second match at 3.30pm next Saturday at Churchill Park.
Match Report
74th minute: Good break by Wainiqolo but Fiji knock-on. Fiji 36-0 Tonga
62nd Minute: Another try for Fiji as Vinaya Habosi finishes a brilliant passage of play. Fiji 36-0 Tonga
58th minute: Former All Black Seta Tamanivalu is on to make his debut for the Flying Fijians. Fiji 29-0 Tonga
57th minute. Tela converts to make it 29-0
55th minute: Try time for Fiji as Setareki Tuicuvu scores after brilliant work from captain Waisea Nayacalevu
50th minute: Another disallowed try for Tonga due to a forward pass as Fiji survive again. Fiji 22-0 Tonga
48th minute. Great defence from Fiji on the line to win a penalty. 22-0
46th minute. Play held up following an injury to a Tongan player Fiji 22-0 Tonga
44th minute. Scrum penalty to Fiji. Fiji 22-0 Tonga
Teti Tela restarts in the second half.
HALF TIME: Fiji 22 - 0 Tonga.
36th minute: Frank Lomani extends Fiji's lead from a penalty in the absence of Teti Tela. Fiji 22-0 Tonga
33rd minute: Scrum for Tonga inside their own half. Fiji 19-0 Tonga
30th minute: Teti Tela shown the yellow card for throwing the ball away. 19-0
28th minute: Malakai Fekitoa crashes over but the try is disallowed because of a knock-on. Fiji 19-0 Tonga
27th minute: Penalty to Tonga inside Fiji's metre line. Scrum to come. 19-0
25th minute. Tevita Ratuva knocks on from the restart. Lineout to come inside the Fijian 22. 19-0
24th minute: TRY!!!. Kalaveti Ravouvou scores the 3rd try for Fiji. Fiji 19-0 Tonga
18th minute: William Havili kicks it out on the full. Fiji scrum.
15th minute: Brilliant defence from Fiji on their own 5 metre line. Scrum for Fiji. Still 12-0
14th minute. Penalty to Tonga inside the Fiji 22. Lineout to come
Conversion unsuccessful. Fiji 12-0 Tonga
11th minute. Try for Fiji as Jiuta Wainiqolo dives over in the corner. Fiji 12-0 Tonga.
Tela kicks for touch. Another lineout for Fiji inside the Tongan 22. Fiji 7 -0 Tonga
10th minute. Another scrum penalty for Fiji
6TH minute: TRY!! Tevita Ratuva crashes over for Fiji. Fiji leads 5-0. Tela converts to make it 7-0
6th minute: Solid scrum for Fiji and they get the penalty. Fiji 0 - 0 Tonga
4th minute: Penalty for Tonga and they kick for touch
Teti Tela announces himself with a beautiful 50-20. Scrum for Fiji 5 metres from the Tongan try line. Tonga 0- 0 Fiji
A big tackle forces a knock-on from Tonga. Scrum for Fiji
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
