Tonga A was defeated by defending champions Junior Japan 17-52, in its second match at the Pacific Rugby Challenge on 8 May in Apia.

World Rugby reported that Tonga A scored their first try on the stroke of half-time through Manu ‘Ahokovi with Kalisitiane Fiva and Koliniusi Lepa, adding their names to the scoresheet in the second half.

This is Tonga A’s second defeat with its third and final match against the Fiji Warriors on 13 May. Tonga A had initially lost their first match to host Manuma Samoa with a score of 69-7, on 3 May.

Fiji Warriors' winning streak

With one round left to play, Fiji Warriors heads the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2023 table with a perfect record of 10 points, and are all but certain of a 10^th competition title.

Fiji's 50-25 win over Manuma Samoa sets the nine-time champions on course for another title.

Having opened their campaign with a 72-15 win over reigning champions Junior Japan in round one, Senirusi Seruvakula's side achieved their second bonus-point win on Monday, defeating Manuma Samoa 50-25.

Fiji Warriors are five points clear of Manuma Samoa and Junior Japan, who opened their account in round two with a 52-17 win over bottom-of-the-table Tonga A.

One point in their final encounter against Tonga A on Saturday will secure Fiji Warriors their first title in the round-robin event, since 2019 regardless of the outcome of the last match of the day between Manuma Samoa and Junior Japan, stated World Rugby.