Samoa and the Junior All Blacks both registered impressive victories on the third match day at the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup.
Samoa built on a 10-6 half time lead to beat arch rivals Tonga 27-13 and take their second scalp in this year's ANZ Pacific Nations Cup.
The Samoans had earlier beaten Japan 34-15 and only narrowly lost out against the table-topping Junior All Blacks on match day one, losing 17-16 on home soil in Apia.
New Zealand's second string now leads the standings with 14 points ahead of the Samoans on 11.
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Junior All Blacks 52-21 Japan
New Zealand's Junior All Blacks kept up their unbeaten start to this year's tournament with a third victory, this time against John Kirwan's improving Japanese side, 52-21.
Having trailed 40-0 at half time, the Japanese will take huge confidence from winning the second half 21-12, but overall the young New Zealanders were far too strong.
Wing Hosea Gear scored two tries on the day to take his personal tally to five for the tournament, the leading mark.
The JABs showed irresistible form in the first half, scoring six unanswered tries. Giant Wellington backrower Victor Vito opened the scoring on 11 minutes and added a second later in a half that also produced tries for Gear, Colin Slade, Craig Clarke and Sione Lauaki.
Trailing 40-0, Japan were far more resolute after the break and scored three converted tries of their own through Hitoshi Ono, Jack Tarranta and Koji Taira as the New Zealanders made a raft of substitutions.
The kiwis soon rediscovered their scoring touch, however, and registered two more through Lauaki and Gear to make the final score 52-21.
Samoa 27-13 Tonga, Lautoka
Samoa outscored Tonga four tries to one at Churchill Park, Lautoka to run out comfortable winners in a match that was as physical and confrontational as the fixture might suggest.
Tongan fly half Pierre Hola gave his side an early three-point lead and, although Samoa responded with two first half tries, their inability to land the conversions and capitalise on further opportunities that came their way meant that they failed to exert full control on the game.
Centre Gavin Williams crossed as early as the sixth minute to edge the Samoans ahead but Hola's boot was the next to strike in the 37th minute to restore Tonga's lead. A minute before the break Samoa number eight and captain George Stowers powered over for a second unconverted try.
The Samoans were more clinical after the break and quickly into their stride as left wing Sailosi Tagicakibau scored as early as the first minute, a try converted by Ki Anufe.
Hola erred with a penalty chance on 53 minutes and, perhaps sensing the Tongans' deflated spirits, the Manu side struck with a fourth try two minutes later through Junior Poluleuligaga to make the score 24-6.
Replacement Muli Kaufusi crossed for the Tongans' sole try on 62 minutes but the Samoans' defence held firm against some further spirited attacks and Gavin Williams' sweetly struck penalty rounded off the scoring on 73 minutes.
