Israel Folau dragged on the return of test rugby as Tonga lost to Fiji 36-0.

Suva’s ANZ National Stadium: Fiji 36 (Tevita Ratuva try 7 minutes, Jiuta Wainiqolo try 11 minutes, Kalaveti Ravouvou try 25 minutes, Setareki Tuicuvu try 56 minutes, Vinaya Habosi try 63 minutes, Teti Tela 4 with, Seta Tuicuvu pen) Tongan 0.. HT: 22-0.

Israel Folau’s return to international rugby is unforgettable, and Tonga’s Pacific Nations Cup stumbled early on Saturday when he lost to Suva’s Fiji.

A dual-coded former Australian star named Isileli Folau on the team list succumbed to a leg injury as a visitor to the ANZ National Stadium was injured 36-0 less than 30 minutes after Ikale Tahi’s debut. Did.

Folau played the last of Wallaby’s 73 tests in 2018, but the following year the contract was abandoned due to an anti-gay social media post.

Since then, the 33-year-old has traded with the third league side of the French super league clubs Catalans Dragons (2020) and Southport Tigers (2021). And this year, he participated in Japan’s rugby club Shining Ark Tokyo-Bay Urayas suffered a shocking demotion to Division 2.

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Thanks to the World Rugby Relaxation Qualification Act last November, Folau returned to the big stage, playing in Tonga through parental connections, and Toutai Kefu was keen to involve his caliber player.

However, at Tonga’s terrifying opening, 25 minutes later, 19-0, Folau was a fairly anonymous person at 14th Jerry, who got the ball only once and tackled it firmly. Close to Fiji’s try line.

He quickly made a good scrambled tackle, but it was lame after his day, chasing one of the restarts on his side, and in the 28th minute his companion debut Tima Feinga. Anuk is said to have been replaced by “Anuk-Brothers of Leicester Feiga” and will make his All Blacks debut against Ireland on Saturday night.

Folau wasn’t the only prominent ex-international debut in the match, but three ex-all blacks spread out on both sides.

Malakai Fekitoa and Charles (Salesi) Piutau lined up in Tonga with 5/8 and full back, respectively, while Seta Tamanivalu left the bench in Fiji.

Fekitoa continued with some of his famous hard carry, but endured several handling issues, including when he made an attempt to be correctly excluded because he was slightly knocked by Kiwi referee Ben O’Keephy. .. Piutau showed his remarkable footwork and dangerous run, and Tamanivalu approached the try’s goal but was beaten by the ball in the in-goal.

By that time, Fiji was essentially safe, up to 29-0 before the time mark, anyway.

They got off to a good start, recording two tries in five minutes, taking a 12-0 lead a few minutes later and welcoming about 15,000 spectators early on.

Tonga was the worst enemy of the attack at the time. They coughed too many pills, the rolling mall was turned over near the line, and the disastrous 5m lineout ended with a 95m impact on Fiji’s second five Kalaveti Ravouvou. -arithmetic.

Tonga’s day, which fell 22-0 during the break, was summarized when Sione Habili’s 51-minute try was also scratched ahead of schedule from Anzero Tuitavki.

Hosts didn’t need a second invitation and recorded eye-catching tries on both sides of the hourmark before blindside flanker Metz Knavra successfully unloaded for star Drua’s winger Vinaya Haboshi. Did. It will light up again.

Rather surprisingly, Tonga enjoyed 57% ownership and 52% territory throughout the match, camp 6 minutes 18 seconds in Fiji’s 22m zone compared to home team 3:24, to 16 A penalty of 8 and a handling error of 8 on 11 were admitted.

The team will resume operations in Lautoka next Saturday, with Tonga playing Manusamore and Fiji playing Australia A.

Early on Saturday, in Suva, Samoa recorded a late attempt to defeat Australia A 31-26.