Tonga wins PNC opener, Flying Fijians next
The heavy Tongan forwards dominated the breakdown with their physicality and spun the ball wide with No.8 Lotu Inisi and Halaleva Fifita making strong carries to create space for their backs.
Saturday 23 August 2025 | 04:00
Manu Samoa winger Tuna Tuitama goes over for a try against Tonga at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa on August 23, 2025.
Photo: Manu Samoa.
Tonga opened their Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) campaign with an impressive 30-16 win over Manu Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa this afternoon.
It was Tonga’s No.10 Patrick Pellegrini that made the difference with his superb performance. The Moana Pasifika five-five eighth combined well with veteran halfback Sonatane Takulua as they controlled the pace of the game. Pellegrini also had his kicking boots as he made no mistakes with his penalty and conversion attempts.
The heavy Tongan forwards dominated the breakdown with their physicality and spun the ball wide with No.8 Lotu Inisi and Halaleva Fifita making strong carries to create space for their backs.
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Tonga now flies over to Suva to face the Flying Fijians at the HFC Bank Stadium next Saturday.
