ROTORUA, New Zealand (AP) — Fiji rallied from 15-5 down, scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half, to beat Samoa 29-15 in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday and to send Tonga to the 2027 World Cup.

Samoa scored through hooker Pita Anae-Ah Sue and scumhalf Joel Lam as it rattled Fiji with an energetic start.

A try to Seta Tamanivalu just before the break allowed Fiji to go to halftime only three points down at 15-3 and it took the lead for the first time with a try to scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli in the 60th minute.

Fiji's win meant it finished atop Pool A in the Pacific Nations Cup and that Tonga also will go through to next weekend's semifinals which guarantees it a place at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

With Fiji and Japan already qualified, the next three teams in the Pac

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