Japan beat Tonga 28-27 and Fiji defeated Samoa 36-18 in Pacific Nations Cup rugby yesterday, leaving the four competing nations with 1-1 records after the tournament's second round.
First-round losers Japan and Fiji turned around their poor starts to the tournament with impressive wins, leaving the outcome of the series to be decided in next weekend's final round.
Japan came from 17-7 down to post its fifth straight win over Tonga in Pacific Nations Cup matches.
Fiji scored five tries to improve its overall record against Samoa in the Pacific tournament to 4-2.
Japan held out a late surge from Tonga, clinging to a one-point lead for seven minutes, to win a see-sawing contest. After scoring the opening try through backrower Ryukoliniasi Holani, Japan fell behind as Tongan flyhalf Kurt Morath scored and converted his own try, kicked a penalty and added the conversion of a try to Viliame Ma'afu to give Tonga a 17-7 lead after 39 minutes.
Veteran winger Kosuke Endo launched Japan's rally, scoring in the 34th minute to cut the lead to 17-14 at halftime. Takashi Kikutani and Koji Taira scored tries in the 47th and 51st minutes — both converted by former Auckland flyhalf James Arlidge — to give Japan a 28-17 lead.
Tonga then fought back with a penalty to Morath and a converted try to replacement Hudson Tongauiha to cut the lead to one point with seven minutes remaining.
Fiji also fell behind after scoring the opening try against Samoa before asserting control and winning by five tries to two. Winger Vereniki Goneva scored Fiji's first try and created another in an outstanding performance which helped sway the match.
A try to winger Sailosi Tagicakibau in the 23rd minute gave Samoa an 11-10 lead but Fiji hit back with a try to prop Campese Ma'afu to take a 17-11 lead to halftime.
Goneva created a try for center Ravai Fatiaki in the 46th minute, extending Fiji's lead to 22-11 and fullback Dan Rawaqa all but sealed the win with a length-of-the- field intercept try in the 70th minute.
Samoa closed to 29-18 with a try to Timoteo Iosua before Fiji put the issue beyond doubt with a last-minute try to lock Sekonaia Kalo.