A week after going down to the New Zealand Maori 27-26 in Suva the Fijians came from behind to beat Tonga in the first game in the Pacific Nations Cup yesterday (Saturday), 18 July). In a role reversal of the previous weekend’s game the home side this time came on strong in the closing quarter to clinch victory.
Against the Maoris, the Fijians let a 26-10 lead slip as the game wore on, but seven days later they hit back with converted tries from Waisea Nayacalevu and replacement prop Peni Ravai to turn a 22-16 deficit into a 30-22 triumph.
The lead changed hands four times in the second half before Ravai’s 75 minute score clinched the win for the home side. Ben Volavola ended with 15 points from the boot to add to the two late tries and another from scrum half Henry Seniloli just before half-time that gave Fiji a 10-8 interval lead.
Fiji will have the honour of being England’s rivals in the opening game of the 2015 World Cup at Twickenham Stadium on Friday, 18 September. They then face Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday, 23 September and Wales at the same venue on Thursday, 1 October.
The Fijian squad will go into the 2015 tournament better prepared than ever before with three more fixtures to come in the Pacific Nations competition in the United States. McKee’s side face Samoa in Sacramento next weekend and the games, which also involved Canada and the United States, go on until 3 August.
Fijian skipper Akapusi Quera missed the win over Tonga because of an injury, while the Ospreys’ Josh Matavesi dropped own to the replacements having started at outside half against the Maoris. His Ospreys team mate, Tevita Cavubati, stepped into the second row for the Tongan game.
Fijian Pacific Nations Squad
BACKS: Nikola Matawalu (Bath Rugby), Nemia Kenatale (Steau Bucharest), Henry Seniloli (Benetton Treviso), Ben Volavola (Waratahs), Josh Matavesi (Ospreys), Lepani Botia (La Rochelle), Gabby Lovobalavu (Bayonne), Vereniki Goneva (Leicester Tigers), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (London Irish), Waisea Nayacalevu (Stade Francais Paris), Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), Metuisela Talebula (Bordeaux-Begles), Kini Murimurivalu (La Rochelle)
FORWARDS: Campese Ma’afu (Pays D’Aix), Peni Ravai (Greater Sydney Rams), Joeli Veitayaki Jnr (Fiji Warriors), Manasa Saulo (Timisoara), Isei Colati (Nevers), Taniela Koroi (Wellington), Talemaitoga Tuapati (Stade Francais Paris), Sunia Koto (Narbonne), Villiame Veikoso (Doncaster), Api Ratuniyarawa (Agen), Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow Warriors), Tevita Cavubati (Ospreys), Nemia Soqeta (Biarritz), Dom Waqaniburotu (Waikato), Akapusi Qera (Montpellier), Peceli Yato (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Masi Matadigo (Montpellier), Malakai Ravulo (North Harbour)
NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES: Jerry Yanuyanutawa (Glasgow Warriors), Lee Roy Atalifo (North Harbour Rays), Jale Sassen (Fiji Warriors), Api Naikatini (Agen), Nemani Nagusa (Montpellier), John Dyer (Fiji Warriors), Serupepeli Vularika (Fiji Warriors), Seremaia Bai (Leicester Tigers), Benito Masilevu (Brive), Napolioni Nalaga (Lyon)
