Papua New Guinea produced an impressive display of running rugby and crunching defence to beat Vanuatu 84-0 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Friday and confirm their place at the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2009 as Oceania's representatives.
Having already topped Pool B at the FORU [Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions] Under 19 Championship with convincing victories over Tahiti 83-0 and Vanuatu 47-0, Papua New Guinea were favourites to qualify for the Junior World Rugby Trophy for the first time.
They did that in style in hot and dusty conditions in Nadi, treating the crowd to a spectacle of rugby and making life difficult for Vanuatu, whose every step was covered by the Papua New Guinea players and any error seized upon.
Papua New Guinea scored 13 tries in the victory with centre Ikupu Tamarua claiming a hat-trick and replacements Eugene Iovue, Edgar Mongoru and Raphael Saea all scoring twice. Hooker Boe Vaieke again caught the eye, crossing for a first half try as PNG led 31-0 at the interval.
Realising the target
His fellow forwards Hanley Messea, Fairi Fairi and Desmond Korpok also crossed for tries in the final, which ensures Papua New Guinea will join Namibia, Cayman Islands and USA - who were relegated from the IRB Junior World Championship 2008 - in the Trophy.
Four other nations will join them in the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy, the regional champions from Europe, Asia and South America which take place before the end of the year and the host nation, which is yet to be announced.
"I am ecstatic. Our goal coming into this tournament, besides learning new things in rugby, was to try and win this tournament and be the Oceania's representative to the Junior World Trophy in 2009. I am glad it's over and done for us in this campaign," PNG captain Christopher Kakah said. "Now we go back and try and implement the new things we have learnt as well as polish up our strengths."
Vanuatu coach James Abner added: "It's has been quite a journey for myself and the boys. We have definitely learnt a lot from this tournament. I take my hats off to the boys for bearing with us through this tournament. On that note, congratulations to the PNG team on the win - we lost to a better team."
Silverware for Tonga
Papua New Guinea were not the only nation celebrating, though, as Tonga avenged their 8-0 loss to Fiji in their pool match on Tuesday at the same by edging another tight encounter 18-17 to be crowned the 2008 Oceania Under 19 champions.
Cheered on by the Vatutu villagers who had looked after them during the 12-day tournament, Tonga started strongly with wing Sione Lafo'ou scoring the opening try after only six minutes. That lead had become 12-0 after 15 minutes thanks to Halaleva Fifita's try.
The host nation did reduce the deficit with a try from wing Eroni Ravaga, but it was Tonga who went in leading 15-7 at half time following a penalty from fly half Patrick Makaafi, Fiji couting the cost of two missed attempts by their own No 10 Sakiusa Malai.
Makaafi missed an early penalty after the break before Fiji hit back with Koroi Yavala's try, reducing the deficit to 15-12 after Malai's missed conversion. Makaafi then edged Tonga out to 18-12 with another penalty, but once more Fiji came back at them with Luke Nakobukobua's 63rd minute try.
Local support key
The conversion was crucially missed to leave Fiji trailing 18-17 and they were unable to find the winning scoring, allowing Tonga to celebrate victory and realise their target for the FORU Under 19 Championship 2008.
"We came here to win and we have done just that," said Tonga captain Finau Tupa. "I know it would not have been possible without my team-mates. We lost to Fiji in the last pool game and we came back in this one - it's just so great.
"We thank the Vatutu villagers for without their vocal support and their taking care of us in their village a win would not have been possible. I think out of all the teams that played, we had the best group of supporters."
His Fijian counterpart Kini Murimurivalu added: "It was a good game. We did not start off well, but we eventually got three tries and it wasn't enough in the end. We did all we could, followed the game plans and I am happy with my team-mates performance. We lost but this is not the end. We have to move on."
Learning experience
The final's day had earlier got underway with the friendly between Samoa and Tahiti, the two sides having finished bottom of their respective Pool A and B. Samoa, disappointed to have lost to both Fiji and Tonga in the pool stages, came out firing and were simply too strong, triumphing 101-0.
Samoa, eager to show what they were truly capable of producing, attacked in relentless waves and scored 15 tries with hooker Oamavaega Malo and centre Kaino Thompson claiming hat-tricks and Karl Malielegaoi, Pao Muaau and replacement Leuma Tuiloli all scoring two tries.
Ivy Lelisiuao, Amate Viane and Talaleli also crossed for Samoa, but despite the century of points they conceded, Tahiti never gave up and tackled their hearts out until the final whistle, the players eager to learn as much as possible to take back with them to help rugby develop in their country.
"I just want to repeat the comment made by our coach on the third day of the tournament in saying that this has been a learning experience for all of us," assistant coach Hitimi Matai said. "A lot of these boys return to Tahiti with a lot of new things to help better their rugby and hopefully those at home as well to better their rugby."
Samoa manager Wayne Fong added: "We are glad we ended the game on a high. There is a still a lot to be done and we hope to rectify those mistakes when we go back home. For most of the boys, this is the first time playing in a major tournament away from Samoa. It's a good starting platform for them, especially when we look towards the Junior World Cup in 2009."
Pools and Results:
Pool A: Samoa, Tonga, Fiji
Pool B: Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tahiti
Wednesday 3 September - Prince Charles Park, Nadi
12:00 - Tonga 76-5 Vanuatu
15:00 - Papua New Guinea 83-0 Tahiti
17:00 - Samoa 14-16 Fiji
Saturday 6 September - Churchill Park, Lautoka
10:00 - Fiji 97-3 Tahiti
13:00 - Papua New Guinea 47-0 Vanuatu
15:00 - Samoa 10-13 Tonga
Tuesday 9 September - Prince Charles Park, Nadi
12:00 - Samoa 33-5 Papua New Guinea
15:00 - Vanuatu 29-19 Tahiti
17:00 - Tonga 0-8 Fiji
Friday 12 September - Prince Charles Park, Nadi
12:00 - Samoa (3rd Pool A) 101-0 Tahiti (3rd Pool B)
14:00 - Papua New Guinea (1st Pool B) 84-0 Vanuatu (2nd Pool B)
16:00 - Fiji (1st Pool A) 17-18 Tonga (2nd Pool A)
