Published in The Fiji Times on Saturday, May 27, 2000.
More than 4000 people at Teufaiva Park in Nukua’lofa, Tonga witnessed the Flying Fijians tower over the Ikale Tahi to win 25-22 in the Epson Cup competition on Friday, May 26, 2000.
The Fiji Times, through the Tongan Chronicle, reported how fly-half Nicky Little played an instrumental role in helping Fiji clinch the victory due to his successfully placed kick.
Little had scored six penalties and one conversion in that match, silencing the Tongan advance.
A tough game it was for the Flying Fijians as Tonga closed off any opportunity through which the visitors could fight past in attempting to flip the status quo.
Fiji had scored in each half and while they were at a reasonable lead, Tonga fought back and made Fiji play catch-up rugby, mounted on by a tough home side of which their skipper Elisi Vunipola embodied ruthlessly.
Vunipola was aiding the Tongans on the board, with three converted tries made as a result of defensive blunders.
As the team endeavoured to successfully implement what they had learnt under the guidance of coach Greg Smith, Tonga led 17-6 at half-time.
Fiji bounced back after the breather, with Little’s dashing feet powering through with a successful penalty that took Tonga 14 minutes to equalise.
Little was instrumental for Fiji, making a penalty in the 29th minute, the 41st however he missed in the 46th.
As Little’s kicks kept going through the posts in such fashion, the hosts answered with a try due to a dropped ball from Fiji’s Norman Ligairi.
Fiji would then score another try in the 72nd minute as scores tied at 22-all, until Little kicked the winning penalty kick to help them seal the win at 25-22.
Flying Fijian fly-half Nicky Little, in a photograph taken by The Fiji Times on Friday, July 24, 1998. Picture: LEPANI NAULUMATUA/THE FIJI TIMES ARCHIVE