Toa Samoa have booked their spot in the Pacific Championship final, overcoming Tonga - and the weather - for a 34-6 victory at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
Second-rower Jeremiah Tanai scored a try double, but play was delayed by a spectacular lightning storm during the second half, as organisers discussed the possibility of abandoning the game.
Playing without powerhouse forward Jason Tamalolo, Tonga suffered another early blow, when front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu suffered concussion that will rule him out of next week's encounter against NZ Kiwis.
Centre Izack Tago scored first for Samoa, when he dived over in the corner, after some last-tackle sleight of hand.
Nanai chased a kick towards the posts and rolled over in a tackle to extend the margin, as the Samoans led 12-0 at halftime.
Tonga had their chances, but could not make anything of them in their first appearance of the tournament.
Instead, Nanai struck again after the restart, again on the last tackle, as he kicked between defenders and chased the ball down for his second try.
Five-eighth Isaiah Iongi had chance to get Tonga on the scoreboard, when he kicked ahead and chased, but he was unable to gather the bounce behind the tryline, with no-one around him.
Midway through the second half, players were ushered off the field and spectators urged to shelter, as a lightning storm struck the venue. They returned about 90 minutes later, after the weather cleared.
With their first possession after the resumption, Samoa put the contest beyond reach, when a touch pass from five-eighth Blaize Talagi put winger Murray Taulagi into the corner.
Front-rower Payne Haas barged over, while NZ Warriors utility Chanel Harris-Tavita provided the cherry on the cake for Samoa.
Winger Tolutau Koula finally put Tonga on the board with a try and they must now regroup to face New Zealand at Eden Park next Sunday, requiring a 34-point win to set up a Samoan rematch in the final.
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Izack Tago celebrates a try against Tonga. Photo: Zain Mohammed/NRL Photos
