It was supposed to have been a winner-takes-all clash to decide which country claimed the 24th and final berth at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Instead, Samoa – twice World Cup quarter-finalists – scraped through thanks to a 13-13 draw with Belgium in Dubai on Tuesday.
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Samoa and Belgium both beat Brazil and Namibia in their earlier games in Dubai, but the Pacific Islanders finished one point ahead of their European rivals with 12 after earning a bonus point.
Samoa, who have participated at every tournament since 1991, were favourites against their European rivals but trailed 6-3 at halftime in the UAE after Matias Remue kicked two penalties.
A try by Abraham Papali'i, converted by Jacob Umaga, and an Umaga penalty gave Samoa a 13-6 cushion with 10 minutes left.
But when the TMO ruled that Belgium captain Jean-Maurice Decubber had burrowed over the line with six minutes remaining, and Remue converted, it set up the tensest of finishes.
When the whistle blew at the Sevens Stadium, the draw meant that Samoa edged through by a single point in the four-strong qualification group.
Samoa's team included former Australia prop Scott Sio, who switched international allegiance after 74 Tests for the Wallabies and who came on after 47 minutes.
"It wasn't all pretty, but it was a proud effort and we managed to get the ticket to the World Cup," said Samoa captain Theo McFarland.
"To be fair, Belgium gave it to us all game."
"We're really sad. I think we deserved it. We worked very hard for it in this game and I feel sad for the team," Decubber said.
"We did a good tournament, we really thought we could get to the World Cup. There is a lot of disappointment."
The draw for the pool stage of the 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place in Sydney on December 3.
Argentina
Australia
Canada
Chile
England
Fiji
France
Georgia
Hong Kong
Ireland
Italy
Japan
New Zealand
Portugal
Romania
Samoa
Scotland
South Africa
Spain
Tonga
United States
Uruguay
Wales
Zimbabwe
