Fiji's Napolioni Nalaga runs through Kotaro Matsuhsima © Getty Images

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Samoa have delivered a dramatic last-minute victory over Canada to set up a Pacific Nations Cup final date with Fiji.

Canada seemed destined for victory when Phil Mackenzie scored a converted try with five minutes to lead 20-16 with time running out at BMO Field in Toronto, after Samoa had posted 13 unanswered points in the second half to lead 16-13. Samoa went down field from the re-start to claim a five-metre lineout, but Canada seemed to have averted the danger when they won the ball only to drop it cold when two players collided. Sakaria Taulafo dived on the ball and Samoa claimed a famous 21-20 victory.

Canada led 13-0 after 13 minutes, through a try from Nick Blevins and a penalty and a conversion from James Pritchard, whose first penalty saw him top 600 Test points, but Samoa hit back with a converted try from Anthony Perenise and three penalties by Michael Stanley. Samoa looked set to claim victory on the back of Stanley's boot, but Mackenzie pulled down a cross-field kick-pass from Nathan Hirayama and then beat a string of defenders in a 22-metre charge to the goal line. Samoa would not be denied, however.

Fiji, earlier, defeated Japan 27-22 at BMO Field after a tense finale that saw the Islanders have had two men sent off.

Fiji posted three converted tries in 10 minutes to lead 24-9 approaching half-time, having trailed 9-3, but Japan reduced the deficit in the second half on the back of a strong rolling maul. Fiji had second-row Leone Nakarawa sin-binned with four minutes to play, for dropping a maul near the goalline, and prop Campese Maafu was then yellow-carded for a similar offence with full-time sounding, but the Islanders withstood Japan's charge before being awarded the penalty that concluded the game.

Japan dominated the opening quarter to lead 9-3 before Tevita Cavubati broke a tackle and raced 35 metres for a converted try to put the Islanders ahead. Joshua Matavesi then scored in the 26th minute, from an offload by Napolioni Nalaga after a sideline break, and Metuisela Talebula scored on the other side two minutes later.

Japan laid siege to Fiji's line but they were restricted to penalty goals before finally breaching the Islanders' physical defence early in the second half, when Akihito Yamada crossed in the corner after a series of five-metre scrums.

Metuisela Talebula scored for Fiji minutes later and the teams then traded penalties from Ayumu Goromaru and Matavesi Hendrik Tui scored in the 69th minute to bring Japan within a try at 27-22.