Tonga’s Ikale Tahi lost its last game in the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) on Saturday to a determined Samoa going down 30-10 in Apia, Samoa.

The hosts finished the tournament second to Fiji who beat Tonga 23-18 and Samoa 26-16 earlier this month placing them in contention for the two direct qualifying spots available for the 2019 World Cup to be held in Japan.

The first half of the game was riddled with ill discipline by the Tongans, including a penalty try awarded to Samoa after eight minutes when winger ‘Otulea Katoa deliberately knocked down the ball when Samoa was certain to score. The indiscretion earned Katoa a yellow card.

After 11 minutes, Samoa scored again when lock Jeff Lepa scored a try from a line-out drive and more penalties to Tonga saw Samoan fly-half Patrick Faapale kick three more goals to put his team in the lead at 23-3 at half time.

Tonga fared much better in the second half, dominating territory and possession but only managed to score one try when replacement loose forward, Opeti Fonua, came on and crossed the try line after strong leadup work by Tane Takulua and Sione Kalamafoni.

Tonga continued its barrage of attack and although Samoa was reduced to 14 men when replacement Viliamu Afatia was yellow-carded, they could not capitalise on the advantage. Samoa’s Danny Tusitala scooped up a loose ball and ran 80 metres to score the final try.

Tonga’s captain, Nili Latu who played in his 50^th test, summed up his team’s performance.

"We got taught in the first half we can't play rugby with so many mistakes and a lack of discipline," he said.

2019 World Cup

The combined results from the Pacific Nations Cup this year and next year will determine the top two teams to qualify for the 2019 World Cup with Fiji and Samoa having a head start on Tonga. The third placed team in the PNC will still have a few chances to qualify by playing a home and away play-off against the second ranked team in the Rugby Europe Championship with the winner on aggregate qualifying for the 2019 World Cup. The losing team will qualify for the repechage tournament.

Samoa 30 (Jeff Lepa, Danny Tusitala tries; penalty try; Patrick Faapale 2 conversions, 3 penalties; Viliami Hakalo conversion), Tonga 10 (Opeti Fonua try; Tane Takulua conversion, penalty). Half Time: 23-3.