The Flying Fijians secured the top spot in the Pacific pool of the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup by defeating Tonga 50-19 in Nuku’alofa on Friday. This victory advances Fiji to the semi-finals in Tokyo next weekend, where they will face either Japan or the USA from the Asia pool. Manu Samoa will join them as the runner-up from the Pacific.
Fiji’s captain, Tevita Ikanivere, who contributed a try during the match, emphasized the importance of discipline in securing the win after a challenging start. He recognized that the team allowed Tonga to make a comeback during the first half but was determined to refocus on maintaining discipline moving forward.
Tonga’s captain, Ben Tameifuna, praised his team’s effort despite the loss, expressing gratitude for their perseverance. He noted that the young squad is gaining valuable experience and is on a trajectory for improvement.
Fiji started strong with an early 19-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring three quick tries through Iosefo Masi, Ikanivere, and Elia Canakaivata. However, Fiji faced a setback when center Adrea Cocagi was yellow-carded, leading to a red card, which left them with 14 players for a portion of the match. This allowed Tonga to capitalize with tries from Fetuli Paea and Fine Inisi, bringing them close to 19-14.
After regaining their complete roster, Fiji extended their lead with a try from Canakaivata, bringing the halftime score to 26-19. In the second half, Fiji maintained their momentum, with further tries from Muntz, Derenalagi, and an intercept try by Masi, culminating in the 50-19 finish.
The match, a significant event in the centenary celebrations of rugby between the two nations, was witnessed by Crown Prince Tupouto’a and approximately 4,000 supporters. The result was particularly meaningful for Ikanivere, who celebrated his birthday on the day of the match. Both teams will travel to Japan on Monday, with Fiji competing in the semi-finals and Tonga facing Canada in the fifth place play-off.