Photo Oceania Sevens Championships

The Tonga Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams both managed to get a win on Day 1 of the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championships today November 11. The Women’s team defeated Solomon Islands 21 – 0 while the Men’s team defeated American Samoa with 6 tries to 1. The Women’s team lost its two other matches to Australia 45 - 5 and Fiji 36 – 0. The Men’s team lost to PNG 28 – 10 and Fiji 42 – 19.

Young Pongi was a standout player for the Tonga Men’s team. Pongi setup numerous tries and fended-off many defenders. He scored four tries including two against Fiji. Siaosi Manufekau scored a hat-trick within 4 minutes against American Samoa.

Tonga Women’s captain Eseta Vi was a standout player for her team. Eseta scored the opening try for her team against the Solomon Islands and set up a second try after she made a big tackle on a Solomon Islander player causing the ball to become loose. Unfortunately, Eseta suffered a painful leg injury in 2^nd half and was stretchered off.

Other standout players for the Tonga Women’s team were Atamaama Tu’utafaiva and Luisa Ma’asi who brushed aside players to the delight of the Suva crowd.      

The Tonga Mens team will play Nauru and play-off games (to confirmed) tomorrow. The Women’s team will play the Cook Islands, PNG and Samoa.             

Full results and try-scorers:

Tonga Men's 7s Team

Tonga def American Samoa 38 – 7

Young Pongi, Sosaia Tokai (2), Siaosi Manufekai (3)

PNG def Tonga 28 – 10

Tries: Unaloto Kaloni, Young Pongi

Fiji def Tonga 42 – 19

Tries: Siaosi Manufekai, Young Pongi (2)

Tonga Women's 7s Team

Tonga def Solomon Islands 21 – 0

Tries: Eseta Vi, Sela Va’enuku, Tolini Kofutu’a

Australia def Tonga 45 – 5

Tries: Eileen Tupou                     

Fiji def Tonga 36 – 0