The Flying Fijians secured the top position in the Pacific pool of the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup with a decisive 50-19 victory over Tonga in Nuku’alofa on Friday. This triumph advances them to the semi-finals in Tokyo next weekend, where they will face either Japan or the USA, who are the representatives of the Asia pool. Manu Samoa will also progress as the runner-up from the Pacific.
Fiji’s captain, Tevita Ikanivere, who contributed a try to the scoreline, emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline throughout the match. He acknowledged that Fiji’s indiscipline allowed Tonga to come back into the game during the first half. “We spoke about discipline because towards the back end of the first half, we dropped and let Tonga into the game,” he stated. The team had focused on preparation after their bye week, understanding the challenge posed by Tonga on their home ground.
Tongan captain Ben Tameifuna expressed gratitude to his team for their efforts, noting the challenge of competing against their Fijian counterparts. He conveyed optimism for the future, stating, “This is the stepping stone for us as Ikale Tahi,” highlighting the importance of giving younger players valuable experience.
The match saw the Flying Fijians build an early 19-0 lead within the first quarter, thanks to three rapid tries from Iosefo Masi, Ikanivere, and Elia Canakaivata. However, Fiji’s discipline was tested when centre Adrea Cocagi was yellow-carded for a ruck infringement, leaving his team with 14 players. Tonga capitalized on this advantage, scoring two quick tries and leveling the scores at 19-19 before Fiji regained control.
In the second half, Fiji pushed ahead, with Muntz successfully converting a goal to extend their lead. The match continued with Fiji showcasing their skill, culminating in an intercept try by Iosefo Masi that sealed their 50-19 victory. The match attracted significant attention, with Crown Prince Tupouto’a and about 4,000 local fans in attendance, marking a historic rugby rivalry that began a century ago.
The win also served as a birthday celebration for captain Tevita Ikanivere, who received a special cake from the Fijian community post-match. Both teams will travel to Japan on Monday, with Fiji set to compete in the semi-finals, while Tonga will face Canada in the fifth-place playoff.