The title may have already been decided, but there was far more than just pride at stake as IRB Pacific 5 Nations competition reached it's conclusion on Saturday. With the Junior All Blacks having claimed the trophy in round four, the race for second place and the right to be the first-placed Test team was decided.

This inaugural competition has proven to be a tremendous success. With the standard of rugby increasing significantly over the five rounds, it was therefore no surprise that the competition came to a thrilling climax as Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Japan served up two exciting matches, highlighting the value of the Pacific 5 Nations.

Tonga 0, Samoa 36

Gosford's Central Coast Stadium was the unlikely setting for this Pacific Islands clash between Tonga and Samoa, but the Samoans looked right at home as they produced a dominant performance, running in five tries to secure second place in the final standings.

The Samoans, who came into the match as the underdogs after Tonga's recent run of form that has seen them climb to sixteenth in the IRB Rankings, but Samoa defended in style a winning run against their Pacific Island neighbours that stretches back to thee turn of the millennium.

Michael Jones' side spluttered through three rounds of the IRB Pacific 5 Nations, but they clicked after half time, producing their best rugby of the competition in a pulsating second half that saw them run in four very good tries.

The game started slowly as both sides looked a little nervous, but the deadlock was broken after thirty minutes when powerful winger Anitelea Tuilagi crossed for the first of Samoa's four tries. However, the score and indeed the remainder of the first half failed to hint at what was to lie ahead.

Defending a 10-0 lead at the interval, Samoa did not look comfortable for their advantage as Tonga's defence held firm. However, two tries in the third quarter of the match killed off the game for the visitors. John Schwalger crossed before Tuilagi completed his brace as the game entered the final quarter.

Tonga were industrious, but the rub of the green just was not going their way. Samoa capitalised on the Tongan's increased appetite for taking risks in the final quarter and prop Census Johnstone and Lome Fa'atau completed the rout on what was a very good evening for Samoan rugby.

Japan 15, Fiji 29

Fiji's chances of finishing second in the inaugural IRB Pacific 5 Nations may have ended with Samoa's victory over Tonga in Gosford, but Wayne Pivac's side ended the campaign on a high-note, coming through a tough match against Japan in Osaka to finish a respective third overall.

The Fijian's, who travelled without prolific winger Rupeni Cancau, scored two tries in the final ten minutes of an open game to bury the challenge of a Japan side who saved their best rugby of the competition until the final match.

Leading 15-3 at the interval Wayne Pivac's side were on top in Osaka, dominating the match both in terms of territory and possession and scored two well-worked tries through centre Kameli Ratuvou and winger Setiave Leawere.

However, Japan threw on the substitutes at half time and the injection of fresh legs seemed to do the trick. After a scoreless third quarter the home side struck back with a try through replacement Keiji Takei before back rower Philip O'Reilly crashed over for a score which tied the match at 15-15 with ten minutes to go, sending the 5250 crowd wild.

Japan pressed on, but Fiji, shocked into action, came back to life. Substitute flanker Akapusi Qera scored first to put the Fijians ahead before Alifereti Doviverata scored a try in the ninth minute of injury time, to seal a bonus point victory that ultimately flattered the Fijians.

IRB Pacific 5 Nations Round Five details

Tonga: 1. Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2. Maafu Pale (Taukafa), 3. Tevita Taumoepeau, 4. Paino Hehea, 5. Maama Molitika (Fakalelu), 6. Epeli Taione (Captain) (Latu), 7. Viliami Vaki, 8. Lotu Filipine, 9. Sioeli Nau (Havea), 10. Pierre Hola, 11. Viliami Hakolo, 12. Tatafu Na'aniumotu, 13. Hudson Tonga'uiha, 14. Tevita Tu'ifua, 15. Sione Mone Tu'ipoluto (Yokogawa, Japan) Reps: 16. Ephraim Taukafa, 17. Peni Fakalelu, 18. Chris Hala'ufia, 19. Nili Latu, 20. Soane Havea, 21. Fangatapu Apikotoa, 22. Kaiongo Tupou

Samoa: 1,Justin Va'a (Kerslake), 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 3 Census Johnston, 4 Daniel Leo, 5 Pelu Taele (Slade), 6 Daniel Farani, 7 Semo Sititi © (Faosiliva), 8 Isaac Feaunati (Ulia), 9 John Senio (Cowley), 10 Loki Chrichton, 11 Anitelea Tuilagi, 12 Eliota Fuimaono, 13 Seilala Maposua, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 15 Tanner Vili (Lui) Reps: 16 Muliufi Salanoa, 17 Donald Kerslake, 18 Ulia Ulia, 19 Alafoti Faosiliva, 20 Chad Slade, 21 Garrick Cowley, 22 Lolo Lui

Tries: Tuilagi (2), Shwalger, Johnstone, Fa'atau
Cons: Chrichton (4)
Pen: Chrichton


Japan: 1 Yuichi HISADOMI (Yamamoto), 2 Yuji MATSUBARA (Yamaoka), 3 Ryo YAMAMURA, 4 Hitoshi ©ONO, 5 Tsuyoshi SATO (Kumagae), 6 Takashi KIKUTANI (Nakai), 7 Philip, O'REILLY, 8 Hajime KISO, 9 Mamoru ITO (Ikeda), 10 Eiji ANDO, 11 Nataniela OTO (Takei), 12 Hideyuki YOSHIDA, 13 Atsushi MORIYA (Imamura), 14 Kosuke ENDO, 15 Takashi MIYAKE Reps: 16 Takashi YAMAOKA, 17 Masahito YAMAMOTO, 18 Takanori, KUMAGAE, 19 Tomoaki NAKAI, 20 Wataru, IKEDA, 21 Yuta IMAMURA, 22 Keiji TAKEI

Tries: Keiji Takei, Philip O'Reilly
Cons: Ando
Pen: Ando

Fiji: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Maleli Kunavore, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Sekove Leawere, 10 Seremaia Bai, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Semisi Naevo 5 Simon Raiwalui (captain) 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Ravuama Samo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Josese Bale
Reps: 16 Joeli Lotawa, 17 Apisai Nagi, 18 Alifereti Doviverata, 19 Akapusi Qera, 20 Emosi Vucago, 21 Josevata Tora, 22 Epeli Ruivadra

Tries: Ratuvou, Leawere, Qera, Doviverata
Cons: Bai (2), Ruivadra
Pens: Bai

IRB Pacific 5 Nations final standings

P W D L PF PA PD BP PTS
1 Junior All Blacks 4 4 0 0 167 47 120 4 20
3 Samoa 4 2 0 2 126 88 38 3 11
3 Fiji 4 2 0 2 92 94 -2 2 10
4 Tonga 4 2 0 2 91 113 -22 1 9
5 Japan 4 0 0 4 48 177 -129 0 0