FIJI BEGAN THE 2015 Pacific Nations Cup with a 30-22 victory over Tonga on Saturday, with Henry Seniloli, Waisea Nayacalevu and Peni Ravai scoring their three tries.
It was the effort finished off by scrum-half Seniloli that will stick in the memory, largely on account of the steamrolling assist from centre Levani Botia.
The La Rochelle man barrelled through the tackle attempts of Hale T-Pole and Taniela Mola, played a one-two with Nayacalevu, and then sent Seniloli cantering in.
It was an impressive demonstration of pure power from Botia, a man whose dynamic tackling efforts have seen him draw the ire of referees in the recent past. The 26-year-old was red carded in last season’s Top 14 for the effort below, while he also picked up five yellow cards in the 2014/15 campaign.
Nonetheless, Botia’s latest show of his athletic prowess – as well as the skillset to tee up the try – was a reminder of exactly how dangerous an attacking force he can be.
Fiji’s win over the Tongans takes them to second place in the PNC table after the opening round, with Japan’s 20-6 success against Canada leaving them top of the log. Samoa lie third following their victory against the USA.
Fiji host Samoa on Saturday in round two, with Canada welcoming Tonga to Burnaby and Japan travelling to face the US in Sacramento.
