Fiji, Japan win at Pacific Nations Cup

June 27, 2009 - 3:57PM

A second-half try by Vereniki Goneva lifted Fiji to a 19-14 win over Samoa in rugby's Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday, maintaining Fiji's top-10 world ranking.
Samoa led 9-3 at halftime in the match at Lautoka and, while both teams scored one second-half try, Fiji mounted a comeback win with a 14-point contribution from Seremaia Bai, who kicked a conversion and four penalties.
Samoa's Gavin Williams kicked three first-half penalties, answered only by a penalty to Bai, to give Samoa an advantage at halftime.
The try by sevens star Goneva, converted by Bai, helped Fiji into a second-half lead which was increased by three Bai penalties. Williams was unable to add to his tally and Fiji pressed on to an important win.
Fiji entered the match ranked ninth in the world but might have dropped to 11th with a loss.
Earlier Saturday, Japan edged Tonga 21-19 for the first win in three matches in this year's tournament. The win was Japan's third over Tonga in as many years in Pacific Nations Cup matches, leaving the Tongans winless and at the bottom of the tournament table.
Japan led 15-7 at halftime and 18-14 with less than 10 minutes remaining. A critical penalty to James Arlidge increased Japan's lead to 21-14 before Tonga scored in the dying moments of the game through winger Tevita Halaifonua.
The try, which cut the deficit to 21-19, was wide out, leaving flyhalf Pierre Hola with a difficult conversion to tie the scores and the kick drifted wide of the posts.
The first-place Junior All Blacks from New Zealand, who had a weekend bye, have all but clinched the tournament ahead of their final match on Thursday against Tonga at Suva.
Japan play Fiji in the tournament's last match on Friday, also at Suva.
© 2009 AP
http://news.rugbyheaven.com.au/break...0627-d0fp.html