The Vodafone Flying Fijians won their first game of the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup at the ANZ Stadium yesterday.

It was more an energetic performance from a second set of John McKee’s team. McKee is trying to test his best combinations before the Rugby World Cup in September.

Apart from doing the fundamentals right, we can safely say that our team is on track for the RWC.

The input of overseas experts in the team is making an impact and it’s unfortunate that we are seeing our Flying Fijians for the last time at home before the RWC. Tomorrow they fly out to Sacremento in USA to play Samoa this weekend. We wish them the best

Here’s how we rate our Flying Fijians against Tonga:

1. Campese Ma’afu – defence a little loose throughout the first-half and scrum started shaky but regrouped well to come back strong in the second-half. 6/10
2. Sunia Koto – excellent defence, strong tackles and initially shaky scrum but managed to contest the Tongan pack well. 7/10
3. Manasa Saulo – provided steady defence and eventually settled in to deliver an improved scrum. Overall solid performance. 6/10
4. Tevita Cavubati – slow start attack and loose defence at first but picked up the pace and contributed to an improved performance from the forward pack. 6/10
5. Leone Nakarawa – a slow start but once the game settled, delivered an overall consistent performance, pushing the ball forward. 7/10
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu – took some time to warm up but settled well to push the ball forward and set up well for try-scoring opportunities. 7/10
7. Malakai Ravulo – much improved performance from last weekend and worked hard to redeem himself, making for a good combination with Matadigo. 8/10
8. Sakiusa Matadigo – proved himself as a worthy replacement for injured skipper Akapusi Qera, making for a formidable combo with Ravulo. 7/10
9. Henry Seniloli – slow start to the game but once he settled, gelled well with Volavola and ran well once he was given the space, completing a great set up from Levani Botia. 7/10
10. Ben Volavola – much like the rest of the team, took his time to settle. But once the team were in sync, Volavola delivered, missing only one penalty and nailing all his conversions. 7/10
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma – a little loose with his delivery and handling initially but eased into the team rhythm and performed competently. 7/10
12. Levani Botia – thrilled with his defensive prowess as a fully-fledged graduate from 7s to 15s and boldly challenged the Tongan attack. 7/10
13. Vereniki Goneva – a few handling errors, probably due to nerves, but led the team well in Qera’s absence and proved himself. 7/10
14. Waisea Nayacalevu – consistent on the attack and helped gain territory once he got the ball. Overall solid game. 7/10
15. Kini Murimurivalu – continued from his steady performance against the Maori All Blacks last week. Overall solid delivery. 7/10

Feedback: oseab@fijisun.com.fj