Samoa 23 Tonga 14

A late try from Gloucester centre Terry Fanolua saw Samoa to a 23-14 win over Tonga in Friday's Pacific Rim clash at Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Samoa finish top of the Pacific Rim qualifying pool as a result, with Tonga's defeat consigning them to bottom spot, and ending their involvement in this year's competition

Samoa assistant coach Michael Jones told Teivovo after the match:  "Both teams were very committed and the game was physical in nature

"Naturally, we are pleased with the win and proud of the boys’ character to pull through.  It’s never easy to win here in Tonga.  I think we owed this to our people back home after the loss to Fiji last week."

Samoa's other try on the day came from Semo Sititi, with Tonga getting their two touchdowns from Viliami Ma'asi and Solomone Matangi.

Second-placed Fiji are the other side from the group to qualify for the Japanese phase of the Pacific Rim Championship, which sees the Canada and Japan involved.

The Teams:

Samoa:  1 Polo Asi, 2 Ace Tiatia, 3 Kas Lealamanu'a, 4 Leo Lafaiali'i, 5 Setefano Tone, 6 Craig Glendinning, 7 Semo Sititi, 8 Junior Paramore, 9 Joe Filemu, 10 Earl Va'a, 11 Brian Lima, 12 Fereti Tuilagi, 13 To'o Vaega, 14 Afato So'oalo, 15 Silao Leaega
Reserves:  Terry Fanolua

Tonga:  1 Ta'u Fainga'anuku, 2 Viliami Ma'asi, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 4 Fakataha Molitika, 5 Viliami Vaki, 6 Jonathan Koloi, 7 Manako Tonga, 8 Christopher Hala'ufi, 9 Sione Tuipulotu, 10 'Elisi Vunipola, 11 'Aisea Havili, 12 Salesi Finau, 13 Semi Taupeaafe, 14 Solomone Matangi, 15 Kusitafu Tonga

Points Scorers:

Samoa
Tries:  Fanolua T.L. 1, Sititi S. 1
Conv:  Leaega S. 2
Pen K.:  Leaega S. 3

Tonga
Tries:  Ma'asi V. 1, Matangi S. 1
Conv:  Tonga K. 2