Fiji beats Samoa and sends Tonga to the World Cup

Fiji have done the job against Samoa, winning 29-15 at Rotorua, and in doing so, they’ve handed Tonga a golden ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Tonga had already put themselves on the road to glory with a 30-16 win over Samoa in Nuku’alofa a few weeks ago, so both Pacific powerhouses are now officially booked for the big stage.

That makes Tonga the 19th team to punch their tickets and marks their 10th World Cup appearance, with plenty of history behind them and plenty of ambition to make some new records in Australia.

The Pacific Nations Cup has once again shown its worth, serving as a high-stakes proving ground for teams chasing World Cup dreams. Fiji might have had to dig deep to get past a physical Manu Samoa side, but they came through with grit, discipline, and some big plays in the second half. Tonga, meanwhile, has looked solid from the start, proving they can handle the pressure when it matters most. For fans across the islands, it’s a massive moment to celebrate, with two Pacific nations officially heading to rugby’s biggest party.

Now, both teams can set their sights on the Pacific Nations Cup semi-finals in the United States. Fiji will be aiming to defend their title and show they can handle the stop-start pressure of a tight game, while Tonga will want to keep their momentum rolling and show the world they’re ready to compete on the global stage.

With the 2027 World Cup introducing a bigger, bolder format, 24 teams, six pools of four, and a round of 16, there’s never been a better time for the islands to make some noise.

As for Samoa, it’s not over yet, but the road just got a whole lot trickier. With only one more chance to clinch a World Cup spot through the Pacific Nations Cup play-offs, Manu Samoa will need to regroup fast and bring their A-game when they face the USA.

After a couple of tough losses, discipline and focus will be key, but if anyone can bounce back, it’s Samoa. The islands’ rugby rivalry is alive and well, and fans should expect plenty of drama, pride, and big hits as the countdown to Australia 2027 continues.