A WIN of 32-9 is what the Flying Fijians handed Tonga during the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday, August 29, 1987, in what The Fiji Times described as Fiji’s affirmation of being the undisputed South Pacific rugby champions.
Fiji placed 23 points on the board over the three successful penalty kicks the Ikale Tahi could only manage to add onto it.
The previous Saturday, the victors had triumphed over Western Samoa 37-14 in the competition’s opening round.
For then manager Dr. Josaia Taka, he paid tribute to the Tongans for the robust display of rugby they exhibited for the 15,000 fans and spectators at Buckhurst Park in Suva.
“The game was tougher than we thought it would be. Their forwards put a lot of pressure on us,” Taka said.
“But it brought the best out of my boys.”
The Tongans, despite their defeat, had their manager Semisi Tapueluelu highly regarded the performance of Fiji’s Koli Rakoroi.
“Our weakness was in the forwards where Fiji kept pushing us back. It was a good game, I have no complaints,” Tapueluelu remarked.
“We’ll try again in Samoa next year.”
The home crowd was delighted by the performances of Tom Mitchell and fly-half Severo Koroduadua, also known as the Super Boot.
Koroduadua helped extend Fiji’s lead with three penalties, two conversions and a field goal to post 16 points to his name, which was half of Fiji’s scores against Tonga.
Despite the rousing performance and their defeat, the Ikale Tahi held on and pushed Fiji around and were firm footed in retaining their territory.
Meanwhile, the two teams meet once more this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva at 3.30pm for what is Fiji’s first PNC match.