League: Fiji beat Tonga 26-16

PORT MORESBY- Fiji restored some pride in their international rugby league season with a 26-16 win over Tonga in the Pacific Cup rankings playoff.

Semi-finalists in last year's World Cup, the Bati showed greater enthusiasm in defence than their opponents in a scrappy game at Port Moresby's Lloyd Robson Oval.

Fiji ended an error-strewn first half 10-4 ahead and held off a late Tonga fightback thanks to two tries apiece from their wingers, Newcastle Knight Akuila Uate and Joe Ravueta from Fijian club side Coral Coast Cowboys.

But it was Fiji's locally based players who ran the show, with Joe Ravueta scoring twice and loose forward Jone Wesele putting in a man of the match performance.

Fiji captain Wes Naiqama said it was important to end the tournament on a winning note.

"It's a big thing to get this result today for the players and for the people back home," he said.

"Obviously we were a bit down after last week but we got our heads around it and turned up and played well today, so I'm proud of the boys."

For Tonga, it was a disappointing end to a tournament in which they were expected to contend strongly for a place in next year's Four Nations.

Despite the best efforts of captain Feleti Mateo, they again struggled with their handling and defensive skills.

Papua New Guinea take on the Cook Islands in the tournament final on Sunday, with the winner joining Australia, New Zealand and England in the 2010 Four Nations.

- AAP