Fiji have one leg in the door of Rugby World Cup qualification after coming from behind to beat Samoa in Suva to successfully defend their Pacific Nations Cup title.
Seremaia Bai put the home side 3-0 ahead in the opening minute but it was the Manu who dominated the next half-hour.
Tusi Pisi slotted three penalties and converted the try of Motu Matu'u, after Waisea Nayacalevu was sent to the sin bin, to put the visitors in front 16-3 before Flying Fijians skipper Sunia Koto scored just before halftime to cut the deficit to six points.
Three more penalties gave Fiji the lead with 18 minutes remaining before Patrick Osborne crossed for his first test try, three minutes from full-time, to seal victory.
Fiji celebrate winning the Pacific Nations Cup for 2016. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Head coach John McKee praised the impact of his full squad.
"They really tested us in the first half and took the lead there but I think one of the telling factors in the game (was) I felt we had a bit more depth in our squad and certainly as we made some substitutions in the second half our players really had an impact on the game whereas as their players came into the game probably their performance dropped off a little bit."
Fiji and Samoa players come together for a prayer post-match. Photo: Fiji Rugby
With two wins in the bag, Fiji now need just one win from their two Pacific Nations Cup matches next year to seal their spot at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
The PNC continues this weekend with Samoa hosting Tonga in Apia, while the Flying Fijians will complete their June programme against Georgia, who beat Tonga 23-20 on Saturday.
Meanwhile John McKee said Leone Nakarawa, Samisoni Viriviri and Waisea Nayacalevu will be released from the Flying Fijians squad so they can join up with Fiji sevens extended squad, which is currently in camp preparing for the Rio Olympics.
