Fijiana defied the World Rugby Rankings to convincingly beat Manusina and retain the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship title they won in 2016.

In Saturday's other game at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Tonga defeated Papua New Guinea 62-26 to claim their maiden test win and third place in the standings.

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FIJI 43-12 SAMOA 

With 18 places between themselves and the higher-ranked Samoa, Fiji started the title decider as underdogs in some people's eyes despite home advantage.

However, the Rusila Nagasau-captained side imposed their game on Manusina from the off and had opened up a 33-0 lead before their opponents had a chance to respond.

Early on, full-back Tima Ravisa crossed for the first of her side's seven tries and her fifth of the tournament with Luisa Tisolo adding the conversion. 

Fijiana then punished Manusina for losing a player to the sin-bin, scoring two more tries through Karalaini Naisewa and Rusila Tamoi with the latter one converted, while the opposition was outnumbered.

Even with Nina Foaese's return to the field, Manusina found it difficult to live with Fijiana, conceding two more tries, Tamoi getting her second of the match after Tokasa Seniyasi had dotted down. 

Deep into first-half stoppage time Manusina finally got some reward for their efforts when Saelua Leaula crossed and Sieni Mose converted.

A stop-start third quarter brought no further points and the score stayed at 33-7 to Fijiana despite them losing openside Lavenia Tinai to the sin-bin.

Merewai Cumu broke the deadlock with Fijiana's sixth try before Manusina hit back through Lumepa Maiava. Fijiana had the final word, though, with Nagasau crossing in the last play of the game.

"I'd like to thank each and everyone for supporting us today," Nagasau said at the final whistle. "We know that women's rugby is not that important in Fiji but our aim was to set a platform not only in Fiji but also the Pacific and the world." 

Samoa captain Masuisui Pauraisa said the team was also very grateful for all the support they have had received from all their supporters from Samoa and abroad.

"We're so proud of the girls and we're blessed to be Samoan as this is just the beginning as we aim to try and make the Women's Rugby World Cup," Pauraisa said.

Papua New Guinea 26-62 Tonga 

In the battle for third place, Tonga's forward power proved too much for a Papua New Guinea side that faded after a bright start.

Tonga's front-row forwards accounted for exactly half of their side's 10 tries with tight-head Mele 'Akuila helping herself to a hat-trick and Lesieli Fisilau and Lesley Mapa getting one apiece.

Both sides went into the game looking for their first test win and it was Tonga who flew out of the blocks, scoring three converted tries without reply through Judith Pita, Meleane Fifita and 'Akuila.

Crucially, all of the tries went unconverted and the Palais hit back with three scores of their own, Taivi Lavai adding the extras to two of the tries and Joanna Lagona another to hand their side a 21-15 half-time lead.

Tonga took the game away from the Palais, though, in the second half despite losing second-row Evamere Fatafehi to the sin-bin within seconds of the restart.

A run of 47 unanswered points took the score to 62-21 with 'Akuila completing her hat-trick and centre Pesalini He'ehau grabbing a brace. Potaufa finally found her kicking boots to slot six conversions as well as scoring a try herself. 

Taivi Lavai grabbed a late consolation try for the Palais.

Tonga captain Vainga Moimoi said that the team was just grateful that they had an opportunity to showcase their talent as women. "This is only the third time some of our girls have ever played rugby, so we're just grateful to have this opportunity and I'm proud the girls gave it their all," she said.

PNG captain Debbie Kaore said that there were a few key areas for improvement but they are looking to come back better when given the next opportunity. "I think the second half is always our weakness. We came with purpose but, unfortunately, we didn't get what we wanted. Hopefully next time it won't be so bad and we will come back even harder."