By Pesi Fonua

The Tau'uta Reds crushed the Tautahi Gold 21-13 at Teufaiva Stadium this afternoon.

The Tautahi put the first points on the scoreboard from a drop kick by No. 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa.

The Tau'uta responded with two tries, by Toma Toke and Kelepi Halafihi. Both tries were successfully converted by Mesiu Lemoto and the Tau'uta led by 14-3, until the dying minutes of the first half when Sitaleki Lu'au scored for the Tautahi. Fangatapu was successful with the conversion and the score was 14-10 at the break.

Powerful break

About two minutes from the beginning of the second half, No. 14. Ualosi Kailea made a powerful break and scored for the Tau'uta. The conversion was successful and the Tau'uta extended its lead to 21-10. A few minutes later Fangatapu was successful with a penalty conversion to narrow the gap 21-13.

During the rest of the second half, Fangatapu was not successful with two drop-kicks and three penalty conversion attempts. Both sides appeared to run out of ideas and were counting on penalty conversions to put points on the board. One penalty conversion by the Tau'uta failed and so did a one final penalty conversion attempt by Sione Kami Taukapo. At the end the score remained at 21-13.

'Ikale Tahi

Today's game was dubbed as the trial game for the selection of the 'Ikale Tahi team for the Rugby World Cup later in the year, and it was also to decide which team was the Tongan champion for 2007.

While the Tau'uta definitely earned the Champion's title, but with regards to the selection of an 'Ikale Tahi World Cup team from the players who were on the field today, it is definitely going to be a tough selection.

After round two of the IRB Pacific Cup, the Tau'uta won both of its home games, and the Tautahi has lost one away and one home game.

Next week the Fijian Warriors will be back at Taufaiva Stadium to face the Tautahi.