Pacific Challenge

The Kingdom’s defense line was not strong enough to hold off the hosts as they scored five tries in the second half compared to the two they managed in the first spell.

Wingers Epeli Momo and Marika Vularewa scored for the Warriors for a 12-0 lead at half time.

Former Fiji 7s rep Simione Kuruvoli started the Warriors campaign in the second half when he scored their third try.

The other four tries were scored by Taniela Soqonawasaloa, Osea Waqaninavatu, Kitione Salawa and Alipate Waidilo.

In the first match, Junior Japan thrashed Samoa A 76-3.

Fiji Warriors and Junior Japan both recorded bonus-point wins as the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2017 came to a high-scoring conclusion at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Junior Japan doubled their tally of wins from the 2016 tournament with a 42-33 victory over Tonga A, before Fiji Warriors overcame Samoa A 48-25 to finish with a perfect record in the tournament.

Fuala Makisi became the second Japanese number eight after Tevita Tatafu in round one to score a hat-trick, while Fiji’s impressive Lepani Raiyala doubled his overall tally for the tournament with another brace.

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.

The Warriors face winless Tonga A in the final round-robin match at the ANZ Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva.

After impressive wins over Samoa A (34-6) and Junior Japan (44-14), Fiji has been the first team to qualify for Monday's final.

The relaxed Warriors toured the HMNZS Canterbury at the Suva harbour yesterday.

Warriors manager Dan Domoni said the side was focused on delivering another win.

"We want to build the momentum for the final," he said.

"We have qualified but it doesn't mean, we don't want to win tomorrow (today)."

The Friendly Islanders suffered their second loss in the four-team tournament at the ANZ Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva on Saturday after being thrashed 50-0 by Samoa A.

Fiji Times reports Lolohea's boys simply had no answer to the Samoan onslaught in an entertaining, open-style game.

"Yes. It's a disappointing performance but I'm all right with that," Tonga A head coach Isi Fatani said.

"We have a lot of new players from U21.

"This is the first time for most to play in a tournament like this. This is new to them.

The 26-year-old is expecting a tough opening game this afternoon and hoping for a winning start.

"The boys are ready," he said after the captain's run at Bidesi Park in Laucala Bay, Suva.

"We have worked hard on our set-piece - the line-out and scrum. We know Japan teams are very good in those areas and breakdown areas, the rucks and mauls."

The Tongan backs and forwards trained separately yesterday.

"I think we have practised well. But it will be a hard game for us," head coach Isi Fatani said.

The Japanese camp is happy with how the side has prepared but according to team manager Kang Jeong, the Tongans cannot be underestimated.

"We have had good preparation for this game," he said.

"We will do our best against Tonga.

"Tonga has big boys. I think it will be a tough game.

"I think Tonga forwards are strong," he said.

"The good point is we have good fitness."

He said the Japanese were looking forward to the clash.

Junior Japan is coached by Ryuji Nakatake and flanker Syoki Kin will be captain.

The tournament will be played at the ANZ Stadium in Suva, with match days on 8, 12 and 17 March with the final on 21 March.

Four teams will take part in the round-robin competition. Hosts Fiji Warriors will be joined by their island neighbours Tonga A and Samoa A along with Junior Japan.  

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "The Pacific Challenge is a key developmental tournament, which creates a quality competition pathway for our high performance investment unions.