Fiji beat Tonga 13-6 at the Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'’alofa yesterday afternoon, March 5, in the first match of the 2005 Federation of Oceania Rugby Union Under-21 Tournment.

Fiji put the first points on the scoreboard, when the Fiji No. 10 Jiuta Lutumailangi slotted a drop kick in the 14th minute of the first half. Tonga responded on the 28th minute with a penalty conversion by the Tongan No, 12, Uinitoni Kakau to level the score at 3-3. In the 33rd minute, Uinitoni converted another penalty, and Tonga led 6-3. At the break the score was 6-3.

As the game started there was a light but steady tropical rainfall, which made the ball slippery and did not allow either of the teams to establish a momentum of play. The Fijians always appeared very dangerous with their kick-and-chase, which on a number of times threatened the Tongan goal line.

The Tongans on the other hand who loved the forward drive with ruck and maul style of play pushed the Fijians a number of times close to their goal line.

The only try of the game came in the 19th minute of the second half when the Fijian No. 9 Seremaia Tavai scored following a drive by the Fijian forwards. Isimeli Nabalama converted Seremaia'’s Try and then Fiji took the lead 10-6.

In the 32nd minute Taniela Rawaqa converted a penalty and Fiji extended its lead 13-6. The score remained 13-6 at full time.

Samoans

The curtain raiser for the main game was the Samoan Under-21 against the Tongan Under-19. Samoa won 11-5, but they got worried in the second half and had to bring in their big guns to secure a victory. The Tongan Under-19 would have liked to secure a victory before they leave on March 26 for the Under-19 World cup competition in Durban South Africa.