Tonga win well but Junior ABs loom

GOSFORD - Tonga overcame a 13-10 halftime deficit to beat Fiji 24-23 for their second straight win in the Pacific Five Nations rugby tournament.

Eliki Lutui was among the three Tongan try scorers and Pierre Hola kicked three conversions and a dropped goal.

Kameli Ratuvoi and Mosese Luveitasau scored the Fijian tries while Seremaia Bai kicked two conversions and three penalties.

Tonga, who beat Japan 57-16 last weekend, sit in second place with nine points, one point behind the leading Junior All Blacks.

Tonga play the unbeaten Junior ABs in New Plymouth on Saturday. Fiji play Samoa at Suva on June 24.

Meanwhile, a dominating performance highlighted by three tries to flying Counties Manukau winger Lelia Masaga saw New Zealand run out easy 75-16 winners over Italy in the Under-21 Rugby World Championships in Riom, France.

New Zealand crossed the Italian line 11 times, while the Italians managed a consolation try.

New Zealand captain Michael Patterson was pleased with his side's performance in their opening match.

"Italy are a good side but we're expecting a tougher next time out."

Manager Grant Hubbard said good weather meant the team were able to play a "nice style of rugby".

"It was a good start against a very physical side.

"We scored some good tries and that meant we got off to a good start."

The first half saw the men in black blitz the Italian defence with lightning fast back play, thanking the dominant pack with seven tries.

Cagnoni scored all of Italy's first half points through three penalties as New Zealand led 47-9 at half time.

The Italians scored first in the second half through Enrico Patrizio, but New Zealand hit back with four unanswered tries as Italy's best endeavours were snuffed out by a solid wall of black shirts.

Australia needed a try deep in injury time from prop John Ulugia to secure an 18-14 win over Scotland in its first match.

- NZPA