TONGA AND FIJI CLASH IN LAUTOKA

23.06.2012
Tonga v Fiji in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)

Venue: Churchill Park

Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)

Preview
These two island teams have battled it out on the rugby field many times in the past. They first played a test in 1924. Legend tells us they played on a paddock with a tree in the middle!

The significance of this match is not the Pacific Nations Cup (already won by Samoa) but in the pride of the islands.

Fiji is in a rebuilding stage. Following the disappointing showing of its Rugby World Cup squad, Fiji is building a new team. They started their 2012 Pacific Nation’s Cup campaign with a win over Japan but lost to eventual Cup winners Samoa a week later. Last weekend they lost to Scotland. This weekend they are fielding a less experienced side.No matter. The pressure is on. A home crowd won’t be happy with another loss.

Tonga has not had the hard encounter of a game against a team like Scotland. They come from a narrow win over Japan and a loss to Samoa. They have decided to field an experienced side and I fell this will go in their favour

I expect a very close game.

   
Whichever side you support each island team will perform their pre-match war dance and then it will be all on. Game time.

Last Five Encounters
19.08.2011 Tonga 32-20 in Lautoka (World Cup Warm-up)
13.08.2011 Fiji 27-12 in Lautoka (World Cup Warm-up)
02.07.2011 Tonga 45-21 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
19.06.2010 Fiji 48-31 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)
13.06.2009 Fiji 36-22 in Nuku’alofa (Pacific Nations Cup)

Fiji Last Five
16.06.2012 v Scotland L 25-37 in Suva
10.06.2012 v Samoa L 26-29 in Tokyo (Pacific Nations Cup)
05.06.2012 v Japan W 25-19 in Nagoya (Pacific Nations Cup)
02.10.2011 v Wales L 0-66 in Hamilton (World Cup, Pool D)
25.09.2011 v Samoa L 7-27 in Auckland (World Cup, Pool D)

Tonga Last Five
10.06.2012 v Japan W 24-20 in Tokyo (Pacific Nations Cup)
05.06.2012 v Samoa L 18-20 in Nagoya (Pacific Nations Cup)
01.10.2011 v France W 19-14 in Wellington (World Cup, Pool A)
21.09.2011 v Japan W 31-18 in Whangarei (World Cup, Pool A)
14.09.2011 v Canada L 20-25 in Whangarei (World Cup, Pool A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Tonga 12th, Fiji 13th
Oceania Table: Fiji 4th, Tonga 5th

IRB Ranking Points
Tonga 76.19, Fiji 69.21

Prediction: Experience will tell. Tonga by 10 points

Teams

TONGA

15		Viliami Iongi	Llanelly Scarlets, Wales
14		Siale Piutau	Otago Highlanders, New Zealand
13		Mafileo Kefu	Dax, France
12		Alipate Fatafehi	Lyon, France
11		Alaska Taufa	Akita, Japan
10		Kurt Morath	Kubota, Japan
9		Taniela Moa (Capt.)	Pau, France
8		Paula Kaho	Canberra Vikings RFC, Australia
7		Sione Vaiomounga	Toloa Old Boys
6		Steven Mafi	Leicester Tigers, England
5		Joseph Tuineau	Montpellier, France
4		Joshua Afu	Carcarsson, France
3		Kisi Pulu	Perpignan, France
2		Ilaisa Maasi	Counties Manukau, New Zealand
1		‘Ofa Fainga’anuku	E.Suburbs RFC, Sydney, Aus.
16		Viliami Pola	South Canterbury, New Zealand
17		Sila Puafisi	Counties Manukau, New Zealand
18		Tukulua Lokotui	Kintetsu Liners, Japan
19		Vili Fainga'a	Univ.Queensland RFC, Australia
20		Thomas Palu	Municipal Timisovava, Romania
21		Sefa Vaka	Toyota Shokki, Japan
22		Edmond Paea	E Suburbs RFC, Sydney, Australia
		HEAD COACH: Toutai Kefu (Interim)

FIJI

15		Metuisela Talebua	Lautoka
14		Isimeli Koniferedi	Nadroga
13		Vereniki Goneva	Tarbes, France
12		Isake Katoniabu	Tailevu
11		Watisoni Votu	Lautoka
10		Jonetai Ralulu	Nadroga
9		Nikola Matawalu	Suva
8		Kelepi Ketedromo	Nadi
7		Malakai Volau	Suva
6		Josefa Domolailai	Pau, France
5		Leone Nakarawa	Tailevu
4		Apisai Naikatini	Toyota Verblitz, Japan
3		Setefano Somoca	Nadroga
2		Seremaia Naureure	Nadroga
1		Graham Dewes	Counties Manukau, New Zealand
16		Tuapati Talemaitoga	Southland, New Zealand
17		Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa	ACT Brumbies, Australia
18		Iliesa Ratuva	Nadroga
19		Apakuki Vuaviri	Lautoka
20		Kelemedi Bola	Lautoka
21		Benedito Koroi	Lautoka
22		Maikeli Mocetadra	Suva
		HEAD COACH: Inoke Mali