Tonga qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan without having to play on Saturday after a hat-trick of tries from scrum-half Henry Seniloli helped Fiji to a 38-16 win over Samoa in Apia.

Samoa could afford to lose the game but needed a bonus point to draw level with the Tongans on six points in the Pacific Nations Cup standings, the last two versions of which doubled as the qualifying tournament for the World Cup.

Seniloli's hat-trick and tries from centre Jale Vatubua and lock Api Ratuniyarawa ensured the Fijians went unbeaten in the Pacific Nations tournament and finished on 17 points. Tonga ended on six and Samoa on five.

Tonga will now join England, France, Argentina and the United States in Pool C.