Tonga are the champions of Oceania
Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:30
In the FORU Under-19 tournament which ended in Fiji on Friday Tonga turned the tables on Fiji beating them 18-17 in the Final at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.
Earlier in the tournament, Fiji had beaten Tonga 8-0 but both played in the final as both had beaten Samoa.
Samoa had a huge win in their last match and so did Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea's win will mean that they have qualified as Oceania's representatives for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy next year alongside the likes of other regional qualifiers Namibia and Cayman Islands.
Fifi, Samoa and Tonga have already qual;ified for the IRB's Junior World Championship.
Tonga vs Fiji, 18-17
By half-time Tonga led 15-7.
Tonga's captain Finau Tupa said afterwards: "We came here to win and we have done just that. I know it would have been possible without my team mates. We lost to Fiji in the last pool game and we came back in this one, and it's just so great.
"We thank the Vatutu villages for without their vocal support and their taking care of us in their village, a win would not have been possible. I think out of all the teams that played, we had the best group of supporters."
Kini Murimurivalu, Fiji's captain, said: "It was a good game. We did not start off well, but we eventually got three tries but it wasn't enough in the end. We did all we could, followed the game plans and I am happy with my team mates performance. They have just been co-operative and I know we would not have come this far if it wasn't for them." I thank the boys for the effort.
"We lost but this is not the end. We have to move on. I accept the loss. I thank the Almighty God for his guidance and for giving us the strength and also the team management for all the moral support and guidance."
Scorers:
For Tonga:
Tries: Lafo'ou, Fifita
Con: Makaafi
Pens: Makaafi 2
For Fiji:
Tries: Ravaga, Yavala, Nakobukobua
Con: Malai
Teams:
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Simione Ravaga, 13 Kini Rasolosolo (Tevita Taga 44), 12 Koroi Yavala, 11 Eroni Ravaga (Neisiasa Moala 47), 10 Sakiusa Malai, 9 Henry Seniloli, 8 Sainivalati Takailagi ( Varayame Momo 62), 7 Luke Nakobukobua, 6 Epeli Qativi, 5 Josese Bolabasaga, 4 Penisoni Ledua, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Josaia Cikaitoga, 1 Waisea Daveta( Obaia Tanua 62)
Not used: Ifereimi Lalakolabasa, Jovesa Tanikorolevu, Beniamino Raisele
Tonga: 15 Wilson Fakakovikaetau, 14 Malakai Fekitoa, 13 Nafetalai Fifita (Tufui Vea 12-23), 12 Sakalia Sili, 11 Sione Lafo'ou (Charlton 'Uhatafe 22-26), 10 Patrick Makaafi, 9 'Alovili 'Ahofono (Charlton 'Uhatafe 51), 8 Sione Vaiomounga, 7 Amanaki Mafi (Samiu Vea 47), 6 Finau Tupa (captain), 5 Halaleva Fifita, 4 Tukuafu Seilame, 3 Tevita Halalilo, 2 Sione
Lolohea (Whitiora Tuifua 64), 1 Tenisi Naitoko (Solomone Latu 64)
Not used: Taniela Na'a, Matali Paea,
Referee: Tui Komiti (Samoa)
Samoa vs Tahiti, 101-0
At half-time Samoa led 54-0.
Aftrerwards Wayne Fong, the Samoan manager, said: "I am glad it is over. We are also glad we ended the game on a high. There is still a lot to be done and we hope to rectify those mistakes when we go back home.
"For most of the boys, this is their first time playing in a major tournament away from Samoa. It's a good starting platform for them especially when we look towards the Junior World Cup in 2009."
Hitimi Matai, Tahiti's assistant coach said: "I just want to repeat the comment made by our coach on the third day of the tournament in saying that this has been a learning experience for all of us. A lot of these boys return to Tahiti with a lot of new things to help better their rugby and hopefully help those at home as well to better their rugby.
"We hope that the International Rugby Board will help provide for us more grant next year especially as we look forward to developing and promoting the sport in schools. Soccer is like the first sport for us back at home, and so a grant towards rugby will help us promote the sport and see more kids taking up the sport."
Scorers:
For Samoa:
Tries: Malo 3, Malielegaoi 2, Tuiloli 2, Thompson 2, Leleisiuao, Viane, S Kaufusi, Leia, Talalelei, Muaau
Cons: Leleisiuao 13
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Ivy Leleisiuao, 14 Iosefo Tapusua, 13 Kaino Thompson, 12 Karl Malielegaoi, 11 Amate Viane (Leuma Tuiloli 39), 10 Semi Elama (Taivaru Valavala 36), 9 Ben Leia (Europa Europa 26), 8 Roma Leuluaiaui, 7 Talalelei, 6 Falemiga Selesele, 5 Daniel Asalemo (yellow card 49-58)), 4 Vailele Tauloa (Stephen Savali 27), 3 Tavita Selesele (VIliamu Afatia 56), 2 Oamavaega Malo (Rau Pese 52), 1 Pao Muaau (Siaosi Iona 59)
Tahiti: 15 Toofa Tanoa, 14 Rasilva Amaral, 13 Huata Tanui (Loic Loucos 32), 12 Heiarii Tetuanui (Ioane Alexandre 39), 11 Marwin Scoliege( Titouan Roncin 36), 10 Sione Kaufusi (Auira Pito 36), 9 Terai Avaeoru, 8 Viliami Kaufusi, 7 Tehuia Ikinaa (Lloyd Havata 36), 6 Guillaume Deverre , 5 Mathieu Taulelle (Teiva Guillqin Teiva 36), 4 Teiwarii Mahuru, 3 Juck Tautu (Moufat Tehei 32), 2 Remy Tisseire, 1 Tunui Tehuiotoa
Referee: Mounga Vea (Tonga)
Papua New Guinea 84 Vanuatu, 84-0
At half-time Papua New Guinea led 31-0.
Afterwards Christopher Kakah, the Papua New Guinea captain, said: "I am ecstatic. Our goal coming in this tournament besides learning new things in rugby was to try and win this tournament and be the Oceania's representative to the Junior World Trophy in 2009. I am glad it's over and done for us in this campaign.
"Now we go back and try and implement the new things we have learnt as well as polish up our strengths."
James Abner, the Vanuatu coach, said: "It's has been quite journey for myself and the boys. We have definitely learnt a lot from this tournament. I take my hats off to the boys for bearing with us through this tournament.
"On that note, congratulations to the Papua New Guinea team on the win. We lost to a better team."
Scorers:
For Papua New Guinea:
Tries: Tamarua 3, Iovue 2, Mongoru 2, Saea 2, Vaieke, Fairi, Messea, Korpok
Cons: Kautu 5)
Pens: Kautu 3
Teams:
Papua New Guinea: 15 Christopher Kakah (capt), 14 Kirarock Ngaffin (Raphael Saea 13, yellow card 25-34)), 13 Ikupu Tamarua, 12 Jackson Pato, 11 Steven Jacob (Edgar Mongoru 59), 10 Junior Kautu, 9 O'Jay Moka (Eugene Iovue 39), 8 Cameron Wai, 7 Hanley Messea, 6 Desmond Korpok (Joshua Posu 47), 5 Alex Ikupu (Christopher Namani 43), 4 Moses David (Rex Kurup 28), 3 Yahu Possy (Nigel Reu 60), 2 Boe Vaieke, 1 Fairi Fairi
Vanuatu: 15 Waute Chichirua (Oliver Vano 49), 14 Kunro Kalo, 13 Kalpusi Salblon, 12 Samy Bakokoto (Omari Bakokoto 40), 11 Ben Lui, 10 Joseph Donson, 9 Jeffre Saurei, 8 Philip Charlie (Antuan Salbong 59), 7 Lester Kalpukai (Ayon Pascal 47), 6 Brian Tuilangi (Robbie Malesu 47), 5 Shem Fred (David Kalterika 18_, 4 Juby Kalsakau (Ralph Joel 51), 3 Taso Kalorai, 2 Malakai Kalpukai, 1 Tony Lui
Referee: Mikea Rokodrakia (Fiji)
All the results of the tournament
Wednesday 3 September – Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Tonga vs Vanuatu, 76-5
Papua New Guinea vs Tahiti, 83-0
Fiji vs Samoa, 16-14
Saturday 6 September – Churchill Park, Lautoka
Fiji vs Tahiti97-3
Papua vs New Guinea Vanuatu47-0
Tonga vs Samoa, 13-10
Tuesday 9 September – Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Samoa vs Papua New Guinea, 33-5
Vanuatu vs Tahiti, 29-19
Fiji vs Tonga, 8-0
Friday 12 September – Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Samoa (3rd Pool A) vs Tahiti (3rd Pool B), 101-0
Papua New Guinea (1st Pool B) vs Vanuatu (2nd Pool B), 84-0
Tonga (2nd Pool A) vs Fiji (1st Pool A), 18-17
From Fiji Rugby Union
