Tonga beat Fiji Pearls to win PacificAus Netball Series 60-52 Featured
26 March, 2022. Tonga put on a well-deserved performance to win the PacificAus Sports Series claimed gold after outclassing the Fiji Pearls 60-52 today.
Both teams were consistent in the first quarter and pushed each other.
While Fiji Pearls' wing-defence Ateca Qasenivalu continued to apply pressure on the opponents, Tonga proved to be more decisive as they managed to burst into a 30-26 lead during half-time.
The pressure was intensified in the second half as the players started to be more physical.
Fiji Pearls coach Unaisi Rokoura decided to make a few changes by resting Qasenivalu and bringing in Avelina Navue and Unaisi Raulini into the game.
Captain Alisi Naqiri and Ema Mualuvu fought hard to keep the Tonga shooter from scoring, but their rivals were performing better in attack and defence.
Raulini, who was on wing attack, made a significant impact for Fiji in the second half, but it was not enough as Tonga triumphed with fantastic shooting from the duo of Uneeq Palavi and Marie Hansen.
Palavi was awarded the Grand Final MVP medal while captain Hulita Veve and Uneeq Palavi shared the Series MVP award.
The series marked the first time the teams have competed in an international competition since the pandemic started and served as an opportunity to analyse their strategies before the Oceania Netball World Cup Qualifiers scheduled to take place in Fiji in July.
