The first complete pool of the 2019 Rugby World Cup was decided at the weekend when Fiji's 38-16 win over Samoa in Apia saw them crowned 2017 Pacific Nations Cup champions and sent Tonga through to the finals as Oceania's second qualifier.

Tonga's passage to Japan completed the line-up for Pool C, which also contains England, France, Argentina and the USA in what has shaped up to be the tournament's "group of death".

At half-time in Apia Samoa led Fiji 16-14 and were on course to book their place in Japan, but by the final whistle the Fijians had outscored their hosts by five tries to one to leave Samoa, who finished a point behind Tonga in the standings across the 2016-17 Pacific Nations Cup competitions, waiting to learn the identity of the European team they will face next year to determine the play-off qualifier in Pool A.

Spain are the likely candidates to stand in Samoa's way, with Romania looking likely to book their place as Europe 1 and the Spaniards likely to finish as the second-placed European team following the 2018 Rugby Europe Championship (excluding Georgia, who have already qualified). Spain will then have to beat the winner of a play-off between the Czech Republic and Portugal to battle it out with Samoa for a place in Pool A.

The loser of that play-off will be pitched into the global repechage tournament to decide the final qualifier for Japan 2019.

Samoa coach Alama Ieremia was inevitably disappointed with the result in Apia, which saw his side slip one place to 16th when the World Rugby Rankings updated on Monday, their lowest position since the rankings were introduced in 2003.

“We had a good first half but we knew we had to get a lead as we had the wind in the first half," Ieremia said. "We went into the break ahead but we made too many errors in the second half and Fiji capitalised on them. Fiji deserved the victory and we congratulate them.

“We really wanted to win for the country and the boys tried really hard. I guess it is a painful lesson but the young squad will hopefully learn from it and we can take the experience forward as we do have a second chance at RWC qualification."

There is one stage of Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification remaining in the region with the Cook Islands facing Tahiti in the Oceania Rugby Cup on 4 August. The winner will face the Asia Rugby Championship 2018 winner for a place in the repechage tournament.

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, Tonga
Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Americas 2 (Canada)