Juniors capture Five Nations after Tonga win

Junior All Blacks 38 Tonga 10

Samoa 53 Japan 9

With the spoils already secured, Junior All Blacks co-coach Ian Foster has given the inaugural Pacific Five Nations tournament a convincing pass mark.

Foster's team won the title with one round remaining after beating a committed and physical Tongan side in New Plymouth.

Earlier at Yarrow Stadium, Samoa beat Japan.

The Junior All Blacks maintained their unbeaten record, with three wins from as many matches, but were sternly tested by the Tongans, whose forwards went toe-to-toe with their opposition drawn from the Super 14.

Foster and fellow co-coach Colin Cooper have Saturday's final match against Japan in Dunedin before finishing their campaign, but Foster said the Five Nations could already be hailed a success for all the teams involved.

"This tournament has probably two objectives for us," said Foster.

"One is obviously to win it, and we want to give guys in New Zealand a chance to expose themselves to a higher level.

"But it's also important to give a meaningful competition to the island teams. They probably haven't had enough top competition and the Five Nations has proven to be very invaluable.

"Having us as part of it has secured a good benchmark to measure themselves."

The Junior All Blacks last week beat Samoa 56-12, but they found themselves battling far harder opponents on Saturday.

Foster said he was pleased his team came through the match unscathed after encountering a wave of red jerseys which battered the hosts.

The scoreline was inflated with a late try to replacement back Cameron McIntyre, but for the previous 75 minutes Tonga spoiled their opponents' possession, created numerous turnovers and provided a stable platform in their scrums and lineouts.

It was in the backline where Tonga were outplayed, with sweetly stepping centre Anthony Tuitavake, pacey fullback Sosene Anesi and winger Viliame Waqaseduadua constant attacking threats as they probed the flanks.

The trio were especially dangerous when counter attacking and were well supported by loose forwards Steven Bates and Josh Blackie.

First five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth scored two tries in his 21-point haul, while second five-eighths Tamati Ellison showed good vision and distribution.

All six of the Junior All Blacks' tries were scored through the backs, and Foster said their counter-attacking ability proved crucial.

Although the All Blacks coaches were likely to draw their 30-man squad for the Tri-Nations series from the 39-players selected for the Irish series and one-off test against Argentina, Foster believed some Junior All Blacks had enhanced their prospects of stepping into the senior side.

"They've all put their hands up, to be honest.

"But we've got to be impressed with the captaincy and leadership of Corey [Flynn] who's done a great job as hooker, but also in making sure he leads this team well.

"He's one of a number who would be pleased with their form."

- NZPA