The Tongan 27-19 win over the Flying Fijians at Churchill Park last Saturday failed to dent Fiji’s title defence of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.

The Fijians had been crowned the title holders a week earlier on June 16 after defeating Georgia 37-15 in the final official match at the ANZ Stadium in Suva. Tonga had defeated Samoa 29-18 in the match before on the same day.

Fiji had earlier defeated Samoa in the first weekend of the championship 24-22 and Georgia had defeated Tonga 16-15 in close battles on June 9.

The Tonga-Fiji match was actually outside the official PNC match up but was an opportunity for the Pacific rivals to match up before the November tours.

The three tries scored by the Tongan forwards in the 21st minute by Halanukonuka, loose head prop Fisi’ihoi in the 43rd minute and the final try by Fifita in dying minutes of the match was negated by Fiji’s three touch downs.

Fiji tries at the jam-packed Churchill Park were scored by Frank  Lomani in 32nd minute, Vereniki Goneva in the 50th minute and the runaway try by Viliame mata in the 54th minute.

Tonga’s superb 27-19 win over Fiji in Lautoka combined with Georgia’s 28-0 loss to Japan has moved the ‘Ikale Tahi up to 12th place at the Lelos’ expense in the World Rugby rankings.

It is Tonga’s highest position since March 2016 and just reward for a win that relied on the boot of Sonatane Takulua.

Takulua was 100 percent with the converting three tries as well as two penalties in the 69th and 73rd minute.

Fiji’s champion winger Nemani Nadolo was stretchered off the field and was replaced by utility back Sefanaia Galala.

Nadolo will hopefully be ready for Fiji’s European tour in November.