Pacific Nations Cup

With the combined results of the 2016 and 2017 cups doubling as World Cup qualifiers, Samoa needed to at least draw with the unbeaten Fijians to overhaul Tonga and reach the tournament in Japan in two years time.

Even a bonus point in defeat might have been enough.

They led 16-14 at half time in Apia but had no answers as Fiji over-ran them in the second half.

Fiji, who secured qualification last week when they defeated Tonga 14-10, scored five tries in total, including a hat-trick to scrumhalf Henry Seniloli.

With incoming World Rugby Vice-Chairman Agustin Pichot in attendance, the Fijians overcame a 15-0 deficit to run in three second-half tries to beat a physical and spirited Tonga team.

With the additional motivation of Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification places available to the top two teams in the Pacific Nations Cup over a two-year period, the action was always going to be compelling and the teams did not disappoint.

In the Suva sun, the action was as hot as the weather with both teams throwing caution to the wind in the opening exchanges.