Unlikely hero Leilani Latu inspires 12-man Tonga to a thrilling victory over Fiji

TONGA has pulled off one of the most courageous victories in their history with a thrilling 24-22 defeat of Fiji at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — MAY 06: Leilani Latu of Tonga celebrates with team mates after scoring the match winning try during the 2017 Pacific Test Invitational match between Tonga and Fiji at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on May 6, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

DOWN a man, down on the scoreboard and down on their luck, Tonga needed something special to steal a win over Fiji.

They got it in the shape of unlikely hero Leilani Latu, who plunged over the line off a short ball from Siliva Havili in the final moments of a pulsating match to steal a 26-24 win for the Tongans at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

The Tongans played the final 10 minutes with just 12 men after Tony Williams went down with what seemed to be a serious ankle injury. Tonga had no interchanges left but battled on.

It was one of the finest performances in Tonga’s history and one where they drew deep on the unity and brotherhood that holds the team together.

Leilani Latu of Tonga celebrates with team mates after scoring the match winning try against Fiji.

“The night before the match, we sat in a circle and each of us stood up and said what does it mean to us to wear this Tongan jersey,” Latu said.

“It was the first time we got to see each other vulnerable. We took that out into the game. We were a man down tonight but we knew we would fight for each other no matter what.

“When I got the call up to come play in this Test I instantly rang my father, and it was an emotional time to get to speak to him.

“Just to hear him say he was proud of us, he was proud of me playing for Tonga.

“He said everyone from back home in the village is watching, so do the nation proud.”

Latu used his excellent footwork to dive over for two tries and fellow debutant Will Hopoate scored man of the match honours after setting up tries for Moses Suli and Daniel Tupou with smart cut-out passes.

Daniel Saifiti of Fiji tries to fight through the Tongan defence.

Manu Vatuvei, who feared the chance to play for Tonga had passed him by, opened the scoring in the 31st minute and Latu grabbed his first soon thereafter.

Fiji struck back with explosive Penrith forward Viliame Kikau who scored a try off a Henry Raiwuli kick and set one up for veteran hooker James Storer.

Addin Fonua-Blake shows his determination to get through the Fijian defence.

Tonga retook the lead when Tupou touched down but a special tap-back effort from the Fijian skipper Kevin Naiqama create a try for lumbering bench forward Ben Nakubuwai.

The teams then traded tries in the second half, with Suli crossing first and then Fiji prop Daniel Saifiti to set the scene for Latu’s match-winner.

Apart from Williams, the only other injury of note was Roosters prop Kane Evans, who was concussed by a thundering Manu Vatuvei shot late in the game.

It was the Vatuvei tackle and the resulting Evans error that gave Tonga possession for Latu’s late heroics.

SCORE

TONGA 26 (L Latu 2 M Suli D Tupou M Vatuvei tries A Hingano 2 T Lolohea goals) bt FIJI 24 (V Kikau B Nakubuwai D Saifiti J Storer tries A Koroisau 2 S Moceidreke 2 goals) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins.

Originally published as Unlikely hero Leilani Latu inspires 12-man Tonga to a thrilling victory over Fiji