31 Jul 2015

Sport: Fiji and Samoa to meet again in final

11:51 am on 31 July 2015

Samoa and Fiji will meet again in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2015 final on Monday after both maintained their unbeaten records with tight victories over hosts Canada and Japan in Toronto.

Samoa needed a last-minute try to beat Canada 21-20 in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2015.

Samoa needed a last-minute try to beat Canada 21-20 in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2015. Photo: Colin Watson

Manu Samoa needed a try on the stroke of full-time by Sakaria Taulafo to snatch a 21-20 victory over Canada, the replacement prop catching a loose ball off a ricochet from a lineout to dive over and secure the final place.

Three yellow cards in the second half, including two in the last five minutes for forwards Leone Nakarawa and Campese Ma'afu, nearly proved costly for Fiji as a 24-9 advantage soon after the break came within a whisker of being wiped out by Japan.

Fiji had to hang on for a 27-22 victory, finishing the match with only 13 players as Japan came within inches of completing their comeback with another try.

The opening match of the triple header saw Tonga run out 33-19 winners over the USA, which means the 'Ikale Tahi will play Japan in the third place play-off.

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