The Flying Fijians kicked off their Pacific Nations Cup title defence with a strong 32-10 victory over the 'Ikale Tahi of Tonga at the National Stadium in Suva on Saturday afternoon.
Four tries were enough to sink the fiery Tongans, who needed a win to consolidate their campaign to win a 2027 Rugby World Cup spot, having won against Manu Samoa in Nuku'alofa last weekend.
The Charles Piutau-led side managed to get an early try but that was the only time they really had anything to show in the game.
Too many basic errors, plus ill-discipline - which saw them end the game with 14 men - worked against them in the end.
Number eight Siosiua Moala was sent to the showers early with 10 minutes to go in the game, when he was red-carded, following his second yellow card in the game.
Piutau was disappointed they could not finish what they started, and pointed to ill discipline as a key factor.
"We made too many mistakes and ill-discipline was also a big factor," he said post-match.
Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere said it was good to have started the campaign with a win but also hinted there were a lot of things to work on ahead of their next game.
That will be against Manu Samoa in Rotorua on 6 September.
"Disappointed with how we started and we made too many mistakes when we got into the green zone," he said.
"We will take the win and celebrate tonight but definitely there's still room for improvement before we meet Samoa."
It took Tonga less than two minutes to score the first try of the game, with halfback Augustine Pulu dummying the ball right and ran through the Fijian defence to score under the crossbar and between the post.
That followed a good drive from France-based prop Siegfried Fisi'ihoi deep into the Fiji 22 metre zone.
Flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini added the extra points with his conversion from in front.
Former All Black centre Setareki Tamanivalu claimed Fiji's opening try 12 minutes into the game when he finished off a passing movement from inside their own half.
Caleb Muntz had kicked an earlier penalty as Tonga led 7-5 and converted Tamanivalu's try for Fiji to take the lead 10-7.
Bristol Bears winger Kalaveti Ravouvou then added his name to the scoresheet after 20 minutes in the first half, following a Fijian counter attack, receiving the outside pass from flanker Elia Canakaivata, before stepping back in to run unchallenged for the line.
Fiji led 17-10 at halftime, after Tonga's Pellegrini succeeded with another long range penalty attempt.
With 18 minutes to go before the end of the game captain Ikanivere scored his try in Piutau's attempted tackle, following an aerial take by winger Ponipate Loganimasi, who rose high into the air to take the kick pass from fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, before running wide and set up Ikanivere's try with an infield pass.
Replacement winger, Taniela Rakuro, who was released by Taranaki for the PNC series, scored Fiji's fourth try when he touched down over the line in a melee, with the ball going loose from Tongan defenders.
Tonga will be on a bye this coming weekend and await the play-offs, with Fiji taking on Manu Samoa in Rotorua.
The win means Fiji leads the Pacific zone or Pool A, with five points, Tonga second with four while Samoa has yet to secure a point.
Pool B, which features Canada, Japan and USA, has Canada leading going into the second round, with a game against Japan on the card this weekend.
The PNC also doubles as qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.
Three teams, apart from Fiji and Japan who have already qualified, will make it to the world meet when the series ends in three weeks.