FIJI has taken the early lead in the ANZ Pacific Cup following their bonus point 36-22 victory over Tonga in Nuku'alofa on Saturday.
Flying Fijians winger Timoci Nagusa was the star for his side scoring a brace of tries in the fixture.
The win avenges Fiji's defeat against Tonga at the same venue in last year's competition.
Tonga began both halves with tries, but were unable to maintain the momentum against a Fiji side that scored three first-half tries and two more after the break to also earn a bonus point.
Taniela Maravunwasawasa kicked four conversions and a penalty for Fiji.
Tonga scored three tries, through Alipate Fatafehi, Toma Toke and Vungakoto Lilo. Tevita Halaifonua added two conversions and a penalty.
Fiji plays the Junior All Blacks in Lautoka in the next round of matches on Thursaday.
Tonga must wait until June 23, against Samoa, to bounce back from their first loss in four years to the Fijians.
In the other encounter the Junior All Blacks held off a second half comeback by Samoa to squeeze home 17-16 in Apia.
Hosea Gear and Israel Dagg scored tries in the first half to put the visitors 14-0 up at the break.
But Samoa came roaring back in an enthralling second half, with centre Gavin Williams to the fore. He slotted two penalties and then scored a try to reduce the deficit to six before Esera Lauina brought the gap down to just one point with a try after 67 minutes.
The Junior All Blacks withstood a tense 13 minutes to record the win.
Pacific Cup
P W D L F A Pts
Fiji 1 1 0 0 36 22 5
Junior ABs 1 1 0 1 17 16 4
Samoa 1 0 0 1 16 17 1
Tonga 1 0 0 1 22 36 0
Japan 0 0 0 0 -- -- 0
