Tonga A

Tonga A meets Manusina Samoa in Auckland in the curtain raiser before Moana Pasifika's home game against the Melbourne Rebels in the culture-themed round 10 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at Mt Smart Stadium.

RNZ Pacific reports the invitational game will used by both sides for selection of their final teams to play in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship planned for May.

Tonga A women's team manager Ilaisaane Manukalo Vaihu said Saturday's clash should become a permanent fixture between the two sides.

Vakata was selected from four candidates that were interviewed late last year.

CEO Peter Harding said his decision has been taken with backing of the National Coach Toutai Kefu and Men’s 7s Head Coach Tevita Tui’fua who were both involved in the selection process:

“Mr Vakata has been involved in watching both Under-20’s games against Samoa and the Tongatapu senior Men’s competition at the end of 2022.”

“He has been working with the TRU’s Head of Performance Semisi Fonua and Lead Performance Analyst Joh Fifita to identify players.”

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.

Tonga A had opened the scoring with winger Fetuli Paea's third-minute try, before Samoa A edged ahead when D'Angelo Leiulia converted Ricky Ene's try 10 minutes later. The Tongans responded quickly with another try by their other winger Tuhakavalu Ika to lead 10-7 after 17 minutes but that would be the last points they would score.

Winger Fa'asauvale Lucky and captain Henry Stowers both crossed to give Samoa A a 19-10 lead at half-time and they grabbed control of the match with two tries in six second-half minutes through Ene and hooker Gafa Sua.

The two teams met on Friday in the opening round of the World Rugby Pacific Challenge in Suva.

Down 21-9 at half time, Samoa A fought back to 21-21 with two second half tries to halfback Melani Matavao and Joe Sililoto.

But with three minutes remaining Fiji scored two quick tries to Turagavola Veramu Dikidikilati and the captain Mosese Voka.

These followed three first half tries by Warriors to Inia Turagacoko Tamanikaitaroi Tawalo, Waisale Sova Urabuta and Apisalome Vota.

After the match, Stowers took the blame.

The Tongans went into the opening match of the day with an outside chance of lifting the Americas Pacific Challenge trophy but later victories for the USA Selects and Argentina XV meant they had to settle for third place overall.

They started impressively and had the first points on the board when Jaime Faiva took the ball at pace and powered over for a try which half-back partner, Samiu Muna, converted for a 7-0 lead.

Samoa A were quickly back on level terms though when Melani Matavao was able to capitalise on Paulo Scanlan’s hack downfield.

Junior Japan beat Tonga A with a score of 42-33.

Tonga A blitzed their way into a 12-0 lead inside the first eight minutes thanks to a brace of tries from centre Paki Afu, the second converted by full-back James Faiva.

Stung into action, Junior Japan responded with a three-try salvo in a 10-minute period between the 17th and 27th minute, number eight Fuala Makisi crossing twice either side of a score for captain and hooker Kosuke Horikoshi. Scrum-half Naoto Saito was on the mark with all three conversions to make the score 21-12.

Tonga's dominance in the line-out contributed to their win.

Fiji Times reports Tonga A led 18-7 against Samoa A at half-time.

The opening try by Samoa came from Danny Tusitala which was converted by captain Patrick Faapale. Tonga started off with a penalty from James Faiva and a try from Feofaaki Kaumavae which was unconverted. Minutes later Faiva slotted a penalty to put Tonga ahead 11-7 before a converted try to Topui Sekona for 18-7.

The Samoans were stunned 34-31 by Junior Japan in the tournament opener on Friday.

Head coach Potu Leavasa said they only had one week to prepare their squad because they had been focusing on the Brisbane Global Tens.

He said new trial laws around the scrum, where the 'set' call has been removed, the halfback no longer required a signal to throw in the ball and one player from the team who put the ball in must strike for the ball, were not communicated to them until the day before their first match.

Wing Lepani Raiyala scored the winning try in the 76th minute.

Fiji took an early lead in the match when captain, Mosese Voka scored two tries within the space of five minutes.

Fiji Village reports Tonga A’s first five, James Faiva converted three penalties in the first half after some sloppy play and lack of discipline at the break down from the Warriors.

Other tries for the Fiji Warriors came from Eroni Vasiteri and Lepani Raiyala with full back, Apisalome Waqatabu successfully converting six points to give them a 26-9 lead over Tonga at half time.