30 Apr 2007

Tonga to face first IRB Cup final

9:46 am on 30 April 2007

There will be a new winner in the IRB Pacific Cup competition this year after this week's final between Tau'uta Reds of Tonga and Upolu Samoa in Nuku'alofa this weekend.

The Reds defeated Fiji Barbarians 21 - 14 in an exciting match to top the table and become the first Tongan side to make the Cup final.

A brace of penalties to fullback Mesui Lemoto and a try to number eight Luditka Ilolahia in the first spell gave the home side a 13 - 8 lead.

Center Vereniki Goneva scored the lone try for the Barbarians in the first half. The Reds scored again in the new spell through right winger Ualosi Kailea to lead 18 - 8.

Last year saw Savaii Samoa beat the Fiji Warriors in the final.