Samoa lifted the IRB Pacific Nations Cup for the second time in three years, following a thrilling 27-26 win over defending champions Japan at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
Having trailed 16-0, the Samoans then scored 27 unanswered points, before having to withstand a courageous fight back by the hosts.
Two late tries saw Japan close to within a point but Ryan Nicholas' conversion of Toshiaki Hirose's try drifted right, much to the disappointment of the large majority of the 5,386 in attendance.
