Fiji beat Samoa 26-16 in Suva on Saturday having trailed 16-10 at the break.

Three penalties by flyhalf Tusi Pisi saw Samoa lead 9-3 after half an hour, and when hooker Motu Matuu crashed over for a converted try the visitors were in firm control. But Fiji hit back late in the half when captain and hooker Sunia Koto scored their first try.

Seremaia Bai slotted the conversion and went on to kick three second-half penalties.

The hosts then struck the decisive blow with three minutes remaining when winger Patrick Osborne scored their second try, which Bai converted.

Fiji – Tries: Sunia Koto, Patrick Osbourne. Conversions: Seremaia Bai (2). Penalties: Bai (4).
Samoa – Try: Motu Matuu. Conversion: Tusi Pisi. Penalties: Pisi (3).

Fiji – 15 Samisoni Viriviri, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Eroni Vasiteri, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Seremaia Bai, 9 Henry Seniloli, 8 Eremasi Radrodro, 7 Naulia Dawai, 6 Leone Nakarawa, 5 Tevita Cavubati, 4 Api Ratuniyarawa, 3 Leeroy Atalifo, 2 Sunia Koto (c), 1 Campese Maáfu.
Subs: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Taniela Koroi, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Mosese Voka, 21 Serupepeli Vularika, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Benito Masilevu.

Samoa – 15 Albert Nikoro, 14 Faatoina Autagavaia, 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 12 Faialaga Afamasaga, 11 David Lemi (c), 10 Tusiata Pisi, 9 Dwayne Polataivao, 8 Alafoti Faosiliva, 7 Greg Foe, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Teofilo Paulo, 4 Faatiga Lemalu, 3 James Johnston, 2 Motu Matuu, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Subs: 16 Maatulimanu Leiataua, 17 Sam Aiono, 18 Census Johnston, 19 Jeff Lepa, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Pelefofoga Cowley, 22 Patrick Faapale, 23 Malu Falaniko.

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images