Fiji beats Tonga 23-18 in Pacific Nations Cup

By foxsports
Published

SUVA, Fiji (AP) Flanker Eremasi Radrodro scored a match-winning try on debut as Fiji rallied from 15-0 down at halftime to beat Tonga 23-18 Saturday in the opening match of rugby's Pacific Nations Cup.

Radrodro took the field in the 12th minute as an injury replacement for Malakai Ravulo and clinched Fiji's come-from-behind win his 74th-minute try.

Underdogs Tonga shocked its host by opening a 15-0 lead after 30 minutes, led by scrumhalf Tane Takulu who scored a try among 13 points.

Fiji fought its way back into the match with second half tries to Ben Volvola and Neemia Soqeta before Radrodro snatched the game from Tonga's hands with only minutes remaining. Veteran Seremai Bai added eight points from a conversion and two penalties.