Former NSW Waratahs utility Ben Volavola played an important role for Fiji after coming off the bench, setting up the go-ahead try with a clever cross-field kick for athletic lock Leone Nakarawa to score his second try.
Just as Fiji looked to be struggling against the power of the Samoan setpiece, the game turned on its head around the one-hour mark as the flamboyant islanders turned on the style to score two tries out of nothing.
The first came through full-back Kini Murimurivalu, going over in the corner for a try converted by Volavola to put Fiji 29-24 ahead.
The Fijians saved their best for last, however, and opened up a 12-point lead with a magnificent try from distance.
Replacement Peceli Yato conjured a scintillating break in midfield before feeding the omnipresent halfback Niko Matavalu who went racing in under the posts.
Matavalu unselfishly popped a pass to skipper Akapusi Qera following up, and with Volavola adding the conversion Fiji were suddenly 36-24 ahead.
Samoa ensured a nervous finish with winger Fa'atoina Autagavaia scoring his second try of the match to reduce Fiji's lead to 36-29, but the conversion missed.
Four minutes from time, Samoa were penalised at a ruck and Volavola stepped up to kick the three points and Fiji were home.
-AAP
