Fiji beat Tonga 32-10 to top Pacific Nations Cup Pool A

Defending champions Fiji held off a spirited Tonga to claim a 32-10 victory in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Tonga shocked the home crowd with an early score but Fiji’s trademark long-range attacks, a dominant scrum and a late red card to Tonga’s No. 8 Siosiua Moala swung the match decisively in the hosts’ favour.

Tonga opened the scoring after just two or three minutes when scrumhalf Augustine Pulu darted around the breakdown to touch down following a deep kick from flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini. Fiji’s flyhalf Caleb Muntz steadied his side with a penalty soon after, and a sweeping counterattack finished by former All Black Seta Tamanivalu put Fiji ahead. Winger Kalaveti Ravouvou added a second try during Moala’s first stint in the sin bin for a side entry infringement, and Fiji led 17-10 at halftime.

The second half was scrappy and physical, with both sides trading heavy collisions and defensive stands. Fiji’s pack gradually asserted control through set pieces and breakdown surpluses, and the pressure produced two late tries. Ponipate Loganimasi claimed an airborne crossfield kick and fed hooker Tevita Ikanivere to score in...