Tonga have come away with a narrow 2-point win over Fiji.
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Final score
Fiji 24
Tonga 26
Fiji Bati will be out to bash their way to a victory when they take on a close to full strength Mate Ma’a Tonga. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEST).
Fiji lost last year’s mid-year match, which they played against Papua New Guinea, before taking on Samoa at the end of the NRL season. In what was a historic match played in the Samoan capital of Apia, the Bati walked away with a 20-18 victory.
Maurice Kennedy and Henry Raiwalui guided the Bati to victory over Samoa in the halves and it sites a potential weakness. Only Raiwalui is in the squad this time around and he is likely to be partnered by fullback Sitiveni Moceidreke, who was sensational last time out.
That will allow Kevin Naiqama to shift to fullback with Waqa Blake, who missed the match in Samoa to play centres.
When you match that halves combination up against the Tongan duo of Tuimoala Lolohea and Ata Hingano with Will Hopoate at the back, things don’t look that positive for Fiji.
Fiji have a strong side across the rest of the park. Suliasi Vunivalu, who may be the best winger in the NRL is likely to play outside Blake, while youngster Marcelo Montoya will be on the other wing.
The forwards are where Pacific Tests are often won, and Fiji have hit the mark. The Saifiti brothers – Daniel and Jacob will be joined by Korbin Sims, Roosters enforcer Kane Evans and Eloni Vunakece along with some local players to complete a side who will battle Tonga up front for the full 80.
The Bati’s X-Factor could come in the shape of Manly hooker Apisai Koroisau. The explosive and dynamic nature of his game, particularly at the back end has proven to be lethal at an NRL level and there is no reason that won’t continue.
Tonga, as already mentioned have an incredibly strong spine for the match, with Siliva Havili playing hooker. Taking on Samoa in the mid-year Test last season though, they came up short by 12 points.
It should be noted the spine for that match was David Fusitu’a, Feleti Mateo, Samisoni Langi and Sione Katoa so this is a marked upgrade.
The jury is still out on the rest of the back five for Tonga Daniel Tupou and Jorge Taufua on the wings, while Brenko Lee and Michael Jennings fill the centre slots.
Tonga look to hold a notable edge in the forwards though, and it’s what tips the balance of power in their favour. The hard-hitting Leilani Latu will start up front, while captain Sika Manu lines up alongside Felis Kaufusi, with Sio Siua Taukeiaho to play lock. Andrew Fifita’s Australian call-up rules him out of the fixture though.
Prediction
It’s going to be physical, high-scoring and entertaining with some high-flying theatrics from the wingers but Tonga should get the win with their halves depth.
Tonga by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this international match from 5:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to drop a comment in the section below.
Brutus
Guest
At 6.15 pm in first half I predicted Brutus said | 6:15pm | ! Report a team will win by 2 points by Cummins The man has a genius for getting close games
Renegade
Roar Guru
That is rugby league - what a spectacle!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Tremendous. That's it.
Scott Pryde
Expert
» Click here to read the full match report Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NRL representative round as Tonga defeated Fiji by two points in an excellent game. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Right now, it's time for the third and final game of the evening as Samoa take on England. John Coomer is in the chair for that one and you can join him here. I'll be back tomorrow from 4pm (AEST) for the final City-Country clash. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
William Hopoate has been named man of the match.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Very much so. Excellent play and very, very gutsy to do something like that on the last tackle.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Tonga with one out plays, just running the clock down. Latu brings them over halfway and none of it's going to matter. What a sensational game of rugby league! That was simply brilliant. Passion, intensity and 80 minutes of entertainment. You just can't beat it. Tonga by 2 in an excellent game. Fiji Bati 24 Mate ma'a Tonga 26
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Short kick-off looking for Vunivalu, but Tonga come up with it, find Hopoate and he picks up a penalty. Into the final 60 seconds and Tonga will win. Fiji 24 Tonga 26
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by ATA HINGANO Fiji 24 Tonga 26
Alex L
Roar Rookie
That was very sharp from Havili.
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - TRY TONGA, LEILANI LATU Tonga bring it right off the scrum, with Hopoate tackled by Waqa Blake. Fonua Blake back into the line on play two before Latu takes a run but can't make anything happen. They now come to the left and Hingano is hit hard by Korbin Sims who came out of the line. Lolohea to Ofahengaue now and he has to take a tackle in the middle. Last tackle now and they run it! What a play! Tonga are going to win! Havili has gone from dummy half, passed short to Leilani Latu and he runs through a hole to score under the posts! Fiji 24 Tonga 24
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Kane Evans is absolutely rattled here. Concussion by the looks of it and he will be on the way off - well, he stumbles off anyway. Fiji 24 Tonga 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Tonga come to the right from the scrum and Hopoate is taken to ground before Ofahengaue has it on the left, not able to take a short ball and he spills it with Vunivalu coming up with it. You aren't going to believe this though! Vatuvei has put a huge shot on Evans and the ball come out! What a hit from the beast. Fiji 24 Tonga 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - Tonga only have 12 players on the field. No interchanges left to replace Williams. Fiji 24 Tonga 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - Tonga start this set 25 metres out and it's Suli with the first run, before Ofahengaue comes into the middle. Lolohea right to Hopoate now before Lee offloads back to Lolohea and he is tackled centre of the field. They come right through Latu now who goes short to Kaufusi, but he is pulled down. Fonua-Blake with the fifth play and on the last it's a grubber from Havili, but Fiji have knocked it on. Tonga will have it back from a scrum feed. Pretty ordinary set that, but Tonga will have another chance to try and create something. Fiji 24 Tonga 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - Ah now that's not so sensational from Fiji. Blake brings it away from the left edge about 30 metres out from his own line and drops it cold. Tonga with a huge opportunity to hit back. Fiji 24 Tonga 20
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - Tonga only have the single play here, with Hingano putting the bomb up. Vunivalu flies through, taking it and saving the day for Fiji. Sensational stuff. Fiji 24 Tonga 20
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Odd, looked like most of the heavy contact was to the back.
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - Tony Williams will have no choice but to come from the field here. It's not the contact to the head either - lower leg injury. Fiji 24 Tonga 20