Fiji's Junior Bati shine in dominant victory over Tonga in Under-18 test

The Fiji National Rugby League Under-18 side kicked off their Test series with a strong performance, winning 28-12 against the Tongan Schoolboys at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm, but the Junior Bati soon took charge of the game, scoring first and gaining momentum. They showcased their skills in defence and attack, proving too challenging for the Tongans, who had trouble keeping up with the pace and strength of the Fijians.

The Junior Bati’s discipline and execution won the game for the hosts, and with every possession, they turned pressure into points.

The win lays a solid foundation for the rest of the series and highlights the growing talent and depth within Fiji’s youth rugby league system.

The Junior Bati had a fantastic start from the opening whistle, scoring three early tries. Two of those were converted by Jese Kuruduadua, giving them a comfortable 16-0 lead at halftime.

Tonga regrouped and returned stronger after the break, with Tevita Vailahi scoring the visitors' first try, which Daniel Lehapoto successfully converted. But the Junior Bati responded with their fourth try to Samuela Ratavola, again converted by Kuruduadua.

Tonga continued to fight back, adding their second try through Sione Finau, with Lehapoto adding the conversion. But the Fijians won with a final try from Gabby Nakalevu, which Save Ravono converted.

Junior Bati head coach Asaeli Saravaki says he was proud of his team’s performance.

“Most of these boys are U17, some are still in school, and some are dropouts, but I’m happy with what they have produced. It was all about dedication and teamwork,” he told a post-match interview.

Samuela Ratavola, of the Fiji Under-18 Bati side, is caught by the Tongan defence. Photo/Reinal Chand/The Fiji Times

Tonga head coach Semisi Tomu congratulated the Fijians on a good game, but added that he was also proud of his players.

The Tonga-Fiji schoolboys match was a curtain-raiser for the Australian league game between the Fiji Kaiviti Silktails and West Tigers.

The Silktails suffered their eighth season defeat, losing 18-34 to the West Tigers in their Jersey Flegg Cup match.

The Jersey Flegg Cup is a junior rugby league competition in New South Wales, Australia. It features teams of players aged 21 or under.

The Sydney Tigers proved too clinical for the Fijians, and Silktails head coach Timoci Duve, visibly disappointed after the match, noted that Saturday's loss was the club's fifth straight away game.

"We gave away too many penalties in the second half," Duve told local media. "West Tigers had a lot of sets to play with."

In other Flegg Cup results, the Warriors proved too strong for the Bulldogs, winning 40-28 on Sunday.

Looking ahead, the Silktails will face the Bulldogs on Saturday, while the Warriors Under-20 team take on the Rabbitohs. Both games will be played in Sydney.

The Fijian Rise Rookie team narrowly edged out the Tonga Girls, 22-16, in the women's competition on Saturday.