Goneva seals PNC win for Fiji
New signing Vereniki Goneva scored a late match-winner as reigning Pacific Nations Cup champions Fiji came from behind to beat Tonga 23-18 in the first match of this year’s tournament in Suva.
It was a match up that pitched the winger against soon-to-be team mates Nili Latu and Tane Takulua and was one that saw ‘Ikale Tahi’ threaten to win in Fiji for the first time in five years.
They raced into a shock 15-0 lead thanks to tries from Pila Iongi and Takulua, along with a further five points from the scrum half’s boot.
However, Fiji hit back with tries for Ben Volavola and Nemia Soqeta between the 46th and 49th minutes to get to within three points of the visitors.
A Takalua penalty made the score-line 18-12 to Tonga but Seremai Bai replied with two of his own to level matters, before Goneva completed the comeback three minutes from time.
