Pacific Nations Cup: Tonga beat Fiji 27-16

Sat, Jul 5 11:33 AM

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga (AP) _ Tonga overcame a 13-7 halftime deficit to beat Fiji 27-16 in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match on Saturday. The win was Tonga's third in succession over Fiji in the six-nation Pacific competition and dropped the Fijians, World Cup quarterfinalists last year, to 11th place on world rankings.

Tonga, previously winless in this season's tournament, trailed 16-15 with 10 minutes remaining at Teufaiva Stadium but scored two late tries to claim its win. Fiji had led at the break with a try on debut to center Saula Radidi, converted by Taniela Rawaqa who also kicked two penalties.

Tonga's first-half points came from a try to hooker Ephraim Taukafa, converted by Pierre Hola. Rawaqa added a further penalty in the second half but Tonga, well led by flanker and captain Nili Latu, gained the upper hand in set pieces and finished strongly with tries to Latu and Epi Taione.

In other matches on the final weekend of the tournament, Samoa hosts Japan, and Australia A and New Zealand Maori play in Sydney. New Zealand Maori, in second place, needs to beat first-place Australia A to win the championship.

___ Scorers: Tonga 27 (Ephraim Taukafa, Seti Kiole, Nili Latu, Epi Taione tries; Pierre Hola conversion; Fangatapu Apikatoa conversion; Lilo Vungakoto penalty), Fiji 16 (Saula Radidi try; Taniela Rawaqa conversion, 3 penalties). HT, 7-13.

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