Flying Fijians prove their championship status with dominant win over 'Ikale Tahi

The Flying Fijians stormed into the Pacific Nations Cup with a dominant 32-10 win over Ikale Tahi Tonga at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva this afternoon.

Referee Karl Dickinson was put through his paces in a fiercely contested match, with both sides highly vocal and extremely physical throughout the full 80 minutes.

Tongan halfback Augustine Pulu sparked early hopes for the visitors, slicing through for the game’s first try with a clever show-and-go. But the reigning PNC champions shifted gears.

Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne says his players needed no instructions to respond to Ikale Tahi’s fast start.

“When they’re ready to go like they were this week, and got scored against early, you don’t have to say anything. They were disappointed and went about themselves and sorted it out, so it was good that they got on top,” Byrne told reporters.

Fiji wasted no time retaliating. Winger Ponipate Loganimasi showcased dazzling speed and skill that ‘Ikale Tahi could not contain. This was evident in Fiji’s counterattack, where their first try went coast to coast.

The class of Fiji’s backline was on full display. Centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre shifted a long cut-out ball to Loganimasi, who blistered down the left edge. Despite still having work to do, he managed to fend off an ‘Ikale Tahi player and found support from team-mate Seta Tamanivalu, who ran in to score in the 13th minute.

‘Ikale Tahi mirrored Manu Samoa’s ill-discipline from last week, conceding a costly 15 penalties - opportunities that Fiji capitalised on.

‘Ikale Tahi full back and former All Black Salesi Piutau credited Fiji with the well-deserved win and acknowledged that they weren’t as clinical as they should’ve been.

“We started well, but I think discipline kept us into our own half and against a good team like Fiji, they’ll make the most of those chances and they turned it into points,” Piutau says.

In the second half, off the back of another turnover, Loganimasi launched himself high into the air to receive a cross-kick 20 metres out from his line, again finding support this time, awarding captain Tevita Ikanivere with a try.

The height and skill of Loganimasi proved too much for flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini in that one-on-one battle.

With a perfect scrum record and far more metres gained, Fiji showcased their trademark style: physical, fast, and free-flowing rugby.

They now lead Pool A and will fly to New Zealand, where they will face the Manu Sāmoa next weekend, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm, local time, at Rotorua International Stadium.

In Pool B, the USA will play Japan on Sunday at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, California, with both teams desperately competing for their first win of the campaign. Kick-off is set for 1.05pm, local time.