Saints prop Campese Ma’afu played against Samoa on Saturday as his Fiji side secured a 26-16 victory over their fellow pacific islanders to win the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup in front of a home crowd in Suva.
The victory sees Fiji finish top of the table for the fourth consecutive year having shared the title with Japan in 2014.
Samoa had a 16-3 lead shortly before half time, but a try for Fiji from captain Sunia Koto closed the gap to just six points. Seremaia Bai then added two conversions early in the second half before another penalty gave Fiji a three point advantage.
Winger Patrick Osbourne then went over in the 78th minute to secure the win and give Fiji the Pacific Nations Cup.
The tournament continues next week in Apia with Samoa hosting Tonga. The competition is the first round of qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup which is being held in Japan, with the two best teams in the 2016 and 2017 tournaments will automatically qualify for the World Cup.
