Fiji win Pacific Nations Cup, Tonga finish second

Editor

Fiji won the Pacific Nations Cup 2018 after defeating Georgia 37-15 in Saturday’s all-important title decider at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Meanwhile, Tonga took second place following a 28-18 victory over Samoa. The top two nations will now play each other outside of the competition, at the same venue next Saturday, as the build-up to Rugby World Cup 2019 continues apace.

Scrum-half Henry Seniloli scored two first-half tries, his 64th-minute replacement Frank Lomani added a brace late on and Semi Radradra got in on the act on his Test debut as Fiji overturned a five-point half-time deficit after Alexander Todau had given the visitors the lead.

Tongan scrum-half Sonatane Takulua was the star of the show in their game, contributing 13 points with the boot. Penikolo Latu, Viliame Lolohea and former NRL player Cooper Vuna also scored first-half tries for the Tongans, who were beaten 16-15 by Georgia last week.

The Tongans lost their discipline in the last 15 minutes, losing three players to the sin-bin in that period but the Samoans were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage as the Tongans claimed the Pacific Nations Cup runner-up spot.