Tonga beat Japan 27-17 in Pacific Nations Cup
View(s):YOKOHAMA, Japan, May 25, 2013 (AFP) – Right winger Fetu’u Vainikolo scored two tries to lead Tonga to a 27-17 victory in the opener of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby tournament on Saturday.
Vainikolo touched down the first two tries in the fifth and 12th minutes to give Tonga a 10-0 lead and eventually his side never looked back.
After stand-off Fangatapu Apikotoa converted his second try for 12-0, the Japanese pulled one back through hooker Takeshi Kizu’s try in the 20th minute.
But Apikotoa added one penalty goal and a conversion with Will Helu’s try in the 36th minute to end the first half 22-5.
Japan scored another try through right centre Male Sau in the beginning of the second half, but prop Eddie Aholelei cancelled it with a try in the 44th minute before left flanker Hendrik Tui scoring a converted try to complete the scoring in the 63rd minute.
Defending champions Samoa have opted out but the United States and Canada will debut later on Saturday in Edmonton in the expanded Pacific Nations Cup, which is expected to boost “second tier” nations.
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