Manuma Samoa put on a brave display but the Fiji Warriors came out on top 50-25 in a fast-paced match in what was possibly the decider for the Pacific Rugby Challenge.

For the Manuma Samoa to win the tournament on home soil, they need a big win over Junior Japan on Saturday and hope that Fiji falls to Tonga A. 

Manuma Samoa vice captain East Timor Viliamu said this was not the outcome they had intended and thanked the home crowd for the support.

"We always knew this was going to be a very tough game for us. We tried to give our best until the last minute and I tried keep padding the bull," he said.

"It was us giving away possession during our most crucial times of the game especially the last quarter of the game. There is some positive to be taken from this for the last minute.

"I am still proud of the boys, we tried to dig deeper but Fiji dug deeper."

Although played at a fast pace, both teams were guilty of coughing up possession through handling errors and indiscipline. A scuffle broke in the 50th minute leading to a yellow card being shown to Manuma hooker Ailesi Siolo and Warriors lock Anasa Qaranivalu.

It was Manuma Samoa who got the first points on the board with centre Siisiialafiauta Taaitiiti as he managed to gather a kick through the Fijian defence and score. With a conversion and penalty just minutes later Samoa were soon ahead 10-0.

Fiji Warriors replied with two quick tries, one to openside flanker Motikiai Murray and then one where winger Sireli Masiwini caught the ball off a Samoa chip and run attempt and scored to have the Warriors lead 12-10.

Samoa hit back with another penalty but Fiji ran in two more tries to extend their lead to 22-13. Within seconds of this try, Samoa replied after the kick-off was misjudged by Fiji and Samoa took full advantage for Taaitiiti to score on the left-hand corner.

The teams went into the breather with the Warriors leading 22-20.

The teams came after the breather to Samoa and hit the front again with a lovely try in the corner to a diving Bitner Tafili. Samoa was once again back in the lead 25-22. Both teams had chances to score after this but the handling errors let both teams down.

The Warriors using the ball much better stayed in the Manuma territory. After the 60 minutes mark it was all Warriors as they went ahead with two penalties to be in the lead again 28-25. The Warriors scored two more tries from their excellent offloading.

Warriors captain Enele Malele delivered the final blow in the 80th minute with a penalty from 53 metres out.

After the game, the two teams united in true Pacific style and sang a hymn and said a prayer together.

The Pacific Rugby Challenge is a competition designed to build on players below the age of 23 years old from mostly domestic competitions, only five players over the age of 23 years are allowed.

Manuma Samoa now faces Junior Japan on Saturday at 4 pm. The Japanese have bounced back from the thrashing they received at the hands of the Warriors to beat Tonga A 52-17. Manuma Samoa will need to go into this game focused as Junior Japan has picked up its form from last week.