On July 21, 1977, The Fiji Times covered stories on the touring Tongan rugby team and their games against top clubs and the national team.
The report was about how the Tongans managed their first win against Lautoka. The headline read, ” Lautoka play it loose and lose”.
Tongan rugby coach Kakalosi Kioa Polotu struck aside criticism that their chances in the second Test were slim after a close 16-13 win over Lautoka at Prince Charles Park in Nadi, Kakalosi said after the match their win had given his side the confidence to put up a better show against the Fiji national side in the upcoming Test on the Saturday of that week.
“Our fire and power against Lautoka had given us the confidence for a good showing in the second Test,” Kakalosi added, as he kept his hopes high.
After five defeats, including the first Test, the Tongans certainly showed that they had regained their spirit. Their loose forward play and swift backline movements had the home side on the run.
Their performance was credited to the magic of former New Zealand All Blacks lock forward, Arthur Jennings, who drilled the Tongans earlier that week at their Lautoka training sessions.
The Tongan team showed good backing up in the forwards which enabled swift movements from the backline.
Lautoka had the game well in their hands in the first half but poor handling gave away valuable possession in the later stages.
They played loose open rugby – just what the Tongans wanted. There was no backing up in the Lautoka side.
The backs held on too long and their kicks, when they should have run the ball, always went into the hands of the Tongans.
The spoiling power of the Ratudradra brothers from the side of the scrum was not enough to counter the backing up of the Tongan forwards.
Narrowed Gap A move by Viliame Ratudradra from the side of the scrum opened the scoring when he stole the ball from Peni Kaihau after a five- yard scrum and bulldozed his way over the corner.
Lemeki failed to convert for a 4-0 lead.
Lautoka were able to hold the heavy Tongans deep in their territory with good forward play.
Their second try came when Taniela Evo skirted the base of the scrum and unloaded a short pass to Suliasi Ravunikau, who sneaked through the Tongan defence for a try converted by Lemeki Matasau.
However, Tonga denied further attempts by Lautoka as they pushed them on to defence.
The Tongans kept working hard and worked together as a team. They looked more determined to win against the capable Lautoka side. Valita Maake narrowed the gap with a penalty from a kickable angle.
Then star winger, Viliame Tuipolotu, crashed over for their first try which was unconverted.
The sensational try came just before halftime. A Suliasi attempt from an early penalty hit the Tongan posts and Tonga took the rebound.
Strong running Tuipolotu received a pass and never looked back as he scooted halfway down the field, leaving behind two desperate tackles for a touchdown far out.
Valita beautifully converted a difficult kick for a 13-10 lead at halftime.
Swift Moves The second half saw little impressive moves by the home side as the Tongans held them off with open running rugby.
Their backline made good moves and switches of play but were unable to cross Lautoka’s line.
However, Valita pushed them ahead with a penalty. Lautoka, at this stage, could have still won the game but slackened their pattern.
Twice the backs had chances but then kicks were all taken by fullback Valita.
Viliame Ratudradra narrowed the gap with a penalty from far out but missed a second attempt from halfway which could have forced a draw.
Tonga denied Lautoka’s last hope and they held them off until fulltime.
