A win or a draw at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa would have been enough for Fiji to become the second team, after the United States, to emerge from the qualification process for the tournament in two years’ time.

Following a nervy opening period, the game was level at 3-3 at half-time.

Tongan prop Siegfried Fisiihoi then crossed the line in the early stages of the second half to put his team 10-3 up.

Fiji levelled matters when Leone Nakarawa's try was converted by Ben Volavola, who added two further penalties to hand Fiji qualification with a game to spare in the Pacific Nations Cup.

The Fijians claimed victories in their two matches last year to claim a maximum of eight points.

Samoa beat Tonga 30-10 last year while Tonga avenged that defeat by beating Samoa 30-26 last week in Nuku'alofa to give both teams five points from three games.

Fiji now travel to Samoa next week for the final game of the tournament, where the second Oceania spot will be decided.

Either Samoa or Tonga will join England, France, Argentina and the US in Pool C.

The third-placed team will drop into a play-off against a side from Europe.

After sealing their place, Fiji will now join Pool D in Japan alongside Australia, Wales, Georgia and either Canada or Uruguay.

All remaining qualification matches will be finished by the end of next year and the top two teams from each pool will reach the quarter-finals, with the tournament beginning on September 20 before concluding with the final at the International Stadium in Yokohama on November 2.