Fiji and Samoa to face off in Pacific Nations Cup final
Samoa and Fiji will meet again in the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2015 final after both maintained their unbeaten records at the tournament.
Samoa narrowly defeated Canada, Fiji hung on to beat Japan while Tonga triumphed over the USA in Toronto on Wednesday, meaning Fiji and Samoa finish top of their respective pools and will battle it out in the PNC final at the Swanguard Stadium in Burnaby, Canada on Monday, 3 August.
The Samoans 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.
Fiji, who had played out a thrilling 30-30 draw with Samoa in round two, had to hang on for a 27-22 victory against Japan, finishing the match with only 13 players as the Brave Blossoms came within inches of completing their comeback with another try.
The opening match of the triple header at BMO Field saw Tonga run out 33-19 winners over the USA, which means they will play Japan in the third place play-off on Monday. The fifth place play-off will be a North American affair with Canada to face the USA Eagles.
The World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup gives all six teams invaluable competition time, with just 50 days to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks off in England. The PNC is a strategic initiative tournament designed to provide players with exposure to the rigours of international competition, with the overriding objective of improving the performance of these strategically important unions at Rugby World Cup.
Every match from the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup will be streamed live on www.worldrugby.org with the action also available on TV in certain countries.
