Fiji defeated Samoa in Apia for the first time for a decade on Saturday to keep alive their chances of a Pacific Rim rugby union series semi-final spot.

But the 22-19 victory - which would have been much bigger had fly-half Nicky Little had his kicking boots on as he missed five of eight attempts at goal - did not bring Fiji the vital bonus point that would have made their passage to Tokyo a little easier.

They must now hope Samoa win or draw in Tonga next week or lose by 15 points or more.

Fiji's win was a marvellous achievement in difficult circumstances. They applied pressure on the home team throughout the match and really should have won by a larger margin.

Some huge hits on half a dozen Fijian players from veteran winger Brian Lima rallied the 10,000-strong crowd, who enjoyed every minute of the rain-soaked match.

Star of the match for Fiji was winger Vilimoni Delasau, who scored two breath-taking tries in his first appearance against Samoa at 15s.

The first came in the third minute of play when he kept going on and on through tackle after tackle until he reached the line.

His second contained some beautiful sidesteps around his marker Afato So'oalo and full-back Silao Lea'ega midway through the first half to give Fiji a 15-6 advantage.

Lea'ega had kept Samoa in touch with a couple of penalty goals and when Lima brought Samoa scored a try on the half-time hooter the Fijians looked likely to pay for Little's profligacy.

Twelve minutes into the second period, Lima scored his second to give Samoa a 19-15 lead, but Fiji came back strongly with phase after phase until No. 8 Inoke Male scored his first try for Fiji by diving over from a ruck.

Male, making his 28th appearance for Fiji, made his debut against Western Samoa in 1993 and picked a perfect time to break his duck. Fiji then held out for the last 25 minutes as Samoa threw everything at them.

Lea'ega missed a penalty that would have tied the game, then So'oalo had a chance to win it in injury time when he kicked through but the ball skidded away over the deadball line.

After nearly 10 minutes of injury time, referee Paddy O'Brien - whose poor refereeing performance during the Fijians match with France in the 1999 World Cup cost them a famous victory - blew for full time to a relieved Fijian team, who have been under pressure from the media and public back home.

"The boys were very positive today," Fiji coach Greg Smith said.
"To win in Apia is just great. Our forwards played with so much commitment, and Delasau was just brilliant."

Smith also hailed his namesake skipper Greg Smith for setting a shining example.

The hooker was nearly pulled out of the line-up with an ankle problem just 10 minutes before kick-off, but decided he could help his team and played for one hour before hobbling off.

"He was playing in considerable pain," his coach said. "He's a great symbol of courage for the younger boys to follow."

Samoa coach John Boe patted Fiji on the back for their efforts, admitting that the visitors deserved the win.

"Their rucking was much superior today, and that kept the pressure on our boys," Boe said.

"I went into the Fijian changing room afterwards and thanked them for the game, and I meant it. They were worthy winners."
(AFP)