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Winger Patrick Osborne has scored a try in the 78th minute to give Fiji a 26-16 victory over Samoa in Suva to clinch their fourth successive Pacific Nations Cup rugby title.
Fiji had to battle back on Saturday from a 13-point deficit shortly before halftime, and managed to gain some momentum in the second half with veteran five-eighth Seremaia Bai slotting three penalties.
Samoa held a 16-3 lead shortly before halftime courtesy of No.10 Tusi Pisi’s three penalties and a try to Motu Matu’u following a well-worked lineout move between flanker Greg Foe and the hooker.
Pisi’s touchline conversion appeared to give the visitors the ascendancy heading into the break.
Fiji, however, struck back in the final two minutes of the half following some powerful bursts from their big forwards with captain Sunia Koto barrelling over.
Bai’s conversion narrowed the gap to 16-10 at the break before he added two penalties early in the second half to level it at 16-16 as the home side began to get on top.
His third gave the home side a narrow lead they defended until Osborne burrowed over.
The Pacific Nations Cup concludes next week in Apia when Samoa host Tonga, who were beaten by Fiji 23-18 last week in the first game of the tournament.
The competition was the first stage of qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with the two best teams over 2016 and 2017 automatically advancing to the tournament in Japan. The third-placed team meets a European side in a playoff.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.