Fiji qualified for the 2019 World Cup in Japan when they beat Tonga 14-10 on Saturday in a Pacific Nations Cup match in Nuku’alofa. The win ensured Fiji would take the Oceania 1 berth in Pool D at the World Cup alongside Australia, Wales, Georgia and the winner of the Americas 2 qualifying pool which will be either Canada or Uruguay.
With the combined results from the 2016 and 2017 Pacific Nations Cup tournaments used to determine the Oceania qualifiers, the 2016 titleholders Fiji booked their ticket to Japan with a game to spare. Wins over Italy and Scotland in warm up Tests before the Tonga clash have boosted Fiji’s world ranking and they now lie 10th on 78.06 points, just 1.44 points behind Argentina. The Oceania 2 slot to join England, France, Argentina and the United States in Pool C is wide open with Samoa and Tonga equal on five points.