Much improved Tonga A side ran in five tries to secure a win against Junior Japan 44-30 to be placed third in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge Monday at the ANZ Stadium.
Tonga A captain Sione Lolohea said they had learnt from their previous matches in the tournament after having lost to Japan in round one of the competition.
"Pretty much for today's game I am happy with the boys because of their confidence. For most of them this is the first time to be on a tour and a big tournament like this. We learnt from all the games and the confidence boosted a win today," he said.
Japan had a proper start responding quickly with a try after Tonga's Atelea Moa drew first blood. They could not, however, continue the momentum they set heading into half time trailing 26-14. Tonga continued the onslaught in the second spell scoring two more tries and slotting a penalty. Japan's efforts to get back into the game after being awarded a penalty try in the final stages of the game proved a little too late. Tonga winning by a 13 point margin at full time.
"This week we prepared how to start well and we did that but we could not continue and that was our weakness and we want to improve. The Pacific Island teams are big and fast and we haven't had the experience of playing teams like that back in Japan and so we will go back and work on how to improve our game," said Japan's captain Shokei Kin