Manu Samoa have cemented their spot at the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a 37-15 win over Tonga in the second and final leg of their qualifying showdown in Hamilton on Saturday.
Last week's emphatic 42-16 win for Samoa in Auckland meant the Tongans faced an enormous uphill battle to regain ground on the aggregate scoreboard and, despite an improved display and gallant second half fight back, Samoa ultimately closed out a comfortable 79-28 win across the two legs.
The four tries to two victory guarantees Samoa the Oceania 1 slot in Pool D for France 2023, in a 'group of the death' alongside England, Argentina, and Japan.
Tonga still have two qualification avenues available to them. If they can beat Cook Islands in Pukekohe on July 24, then the winners of the Asia Rugby Championship - Hong Kong, Malaysia, or Korea - they'll secure the Asia/Pacific 1 berth in Pool B.
The loser of that qualifier will still have an opportunity to book a place via the Final Qualification Tournament, which will determine who claims the 20th and final spot at the World Cup.
The contest got off to a shaky start for both sides, as heavy rain limited scoring opportunities to penalties, Samoa claiming a slim 6-3 edge in the early stages.
In the 26th minute - as the deluge abated - the try-scoring deadlock was finally broken by Samoa's Ed Fidow, who was the recipient of a long-range missile skip pass from first-five Rodney Iona, before tip-toeing down the left-hand touch line to dot down.
Just minutes before halftime, halfback Jonathan Taumateine was on the end of a movement sparked by wing Neria Fomai, who jinked his way around two Tonga defenders, to send Samoa into the sheds with a sizeable 20-3 advantage.
Tonga began the second half with a renewed sense of purpose/desperation, resulting in a 50th minute try to replacement front-rower Jay Fonokalafi, who bulldozed his way over the chalk from close range.
Seven minutes later, outstanding Tonga flanker Sione Tu'ipolotu barrelled his way into the corner to further solidify the swing in momentum, cutting the deficit to 23-15.
Repeated Samoa infringements inside their own red zone saw prop Tietie Tuimauga pay the price with a trip to the sin bin, as Tonga continued to dominate possession and field position.
But in the dying stages, centre Stacy Ili got the ideal bounce from a pinpoint D'Angelo Leuila chip kick to bolt 20m clear and score, followed shortly thereafter by a Kalolo Tuiloma try to put the nail in Tonga's coffin.
Samoa 37(Fidow, Tuiloma, Ili & Taumateine try; Taefu 3 penalties & 4 conversions) Tonga 15 (Fonokalafi & Tu'ipolotu tries; Faiva penalty & conversion)
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