Fiji play Samoa this weekend safe in the knowledge they have already qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after opening their Pacific Nations Cup 2017 with a win against Tonga last weekend.

After two wins in the 2016 Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji's 14-10 victory against Tonga, following Samoa's 30-26 defeat against Tonga the previous weekend, means they join Australia, Wales, Georgia and the Americas 2 qualifier (Canada or Uruguay) in Pool D at Japan 2019.

But Saturday's clash at Apia Park is of huge significance to Samoa, who must now get something out of their meeting with Fiji if they are to beat Tonga to the Oceania 2 place and avoid a battle with a European team and potentially also the repechage to qualify for Japan.

Tonga, with the losing bonus point picked up against Fiji, top the Pacific Nations Cup 2017 standings, albeit only by a single point from the Fijians, but Samoa's points difference across the two Pacific Nations Cup campaigns is significantly better than Tonga's.

If Samoa fail to beat Fiji in Apia and don't pick up a losing bonus point then Tonga will join England, France, Argentina and the USA in Pool C in Japan, but if Samoa win or lose by seven points or less it will be they who occupy the Oceania 2 spot in Japan.

Possible RWC 2019 pool lineup
Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1 (Romania), play-off winner (Samoa)
Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Africa 1 (Kenya), repechage winner (Namibia)
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, USA, Oceania 2 (Tonga)
Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Americas 2 (Canada)