Samoa led 11-9 at half-time, through an early try by winger Lome Faatau and a penalty from Silao Leaega.

Fly-half Nicky Little landed three penalties for Fiji's points.

With both sides defending tightly, Little made the most of Fiji's chances while Leaega missed five shots at goal.

In the last play of the game, Earl Vaa took over the kicking but missed too, dampening the home side's independence celebrations, which started on Saturday.

Samoa dominated territorially in the first half, Fiji breaking out for Little to land penalties from which they led briefly 8-9 close to half-time.

He landed his fourth penalty for Fiji to re-take the lead 12-11 in the second half and struck the posts with another attempt.

Ligairi interception

They extended that lead soon after, breaking out through a Norman Ligairi interception with winger Isaac Mow going over for the try.

Samoa hit back with a driving maul of 20 metres which collapsed on Fiji's line for replacement prop Henry Tuilagi to score his team's second try.

Though Samoa launched a wave of attacks in an attempt to wipe out Fiji's slender lead, a lack of composure saw them fumble the ball at crucial moments.

With Leaega unable to land several previous attempts at goal, Earl Vaa was called up to kick a penalty on the stroke of full-time that would have clinched the game for the Samoans, but he too missed.