Victory over Georgia makes it four on the spin for Fiji

PACIFIC NATIONS CUP ROUND-UP

SCRUM-HALF Henry Seniloli scored two firsthalf tries and his replacement Frank Lomani added two in the second half as Fiji overwhelmed

Georgia 37-15 to win the Pacific Nations Cup for the fourth consecutive year.

Georgia led 15-10 at halftime, but Fiji scored 27 unanswered points in the second half to complete a convincing victory. Centres Jale Vatubua and Semi Radradra also scored second-half tries, with former Rugby League star Radradra touching down in injury time to cap a strong Test debut.

Georgia looked strong in the first half but Fiji brought their big, ball-handling forwards and backs into the match in the second half to take control and end Georgia’s sevenmatch winning streak in international games. The teams will next meet at the Rugby World Cup in Japan in October 2019.

Tonga built a 28-6 lead then held on with 13 men to beat Samoa 28-18 to claim the runners-up spot.

Tries to wingers Viliami Lolohea and Cooper Vuna gave Tonga a 17-6 lead at halftime and they reinforced that advantage with a second-half try to Nili Latu. Scrum-half Sonatane Takulua kicked two conversions and three penalties for 13 points.

Tonga will face Fiji in Lautoka next week, while Samoa move on in two weeks to Rugby World Cup qualifying matches on the back of successive losses in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Tonga took an early 7-0 lead with a try to Lolohea. Samoa closed to 7-6 with two penalties before Vuna dived over from a tapped penalty.

Takulua kicked three penalties to make it 23-6 and Latu took the game beyond Tonga’s reach with a try in the 51st minute. Two yellows to Tonga in the last quarter let in Samoa for two more to Ed Fidow and Melani Matavao.