Rugby: Gear stakes Tri-Nations claim in Juniors' scrappy win

The Junior All Blacks threatened to squander their perfect history in the Pacific Nations Cup rugby tournament before powering past Tonga 47-25 in Suva yesterday.

Down 12-20 at halftime, a much-improved New Zealand team coasted home with five converted tries after the break to quell their committed opponents.

The Junior All Blacks had already sewn up the championship with a game to spare and were expected to comfortably account for the winless Tongans.

However, some poor handling and a swag of turnovers in the face of some typical Tongan aggression forced them on to the back foot through much of the first half.

They were still only one point clear with 12 minutes remaining before halfback Alby Mathewson, reserve back Robert Fruean and winger Hosea Gear crossed late in the seven-try showing.

Gear's double gave him eight tries for the tournament, showing the sort of form that could lead to an All Black recall for the Tri-Nations.

The Junior All Blacks opened their campaign with a tight 17-16 defeat of Samoa in Apia, before two comfortable wins in Lautoka, downing Fiji 45-17 and Japan 52-21.

The tournament concludes when Fiji play Japan in Suva today.

The Junior All Blacks were unbeaten in the 2006 and 2007 tournaments and New Zealand Maori cruised through last year.

- NZPA