New Zealand's Junior All Blacks held off a desperate Samoa comeback to win their opening match in rugby's Pacific Nations Cup 17-16, while Fiji snapped a three-year losing streak against Tonga with a 36-22 win on Saturday at Nuku'alofa.

Tournament favourites New Zealand led 14-0 at halftime at Apia, Samoa after former All Blacks winger Hosea Gear and fullback Israel Dagg scored tries, both of which were converted by flyhalf Colin Slade.

But after setting up a comfortable win, the Junior All Blacks lost their way and managed only a penalty in the second half.

Samoa stormed back into the match with tries to Gavin Williams and Esera Lauina and with two penalties to Williams, the son of former All Blacks winger Bryan Williams.

The Junior All Blacks, who have won the Pacific tournament twice previously, were forced to defend desperately to secure their win and to keep their latest title hopes alive.

Earlier, Fiji also had to fight hard for a win over Tonga, their first over their Pacific neighbours since 2006.

Ireland-based winger Timoci Nagusa scored two first-half tries as Fiji built a 19-8 lead by halftime, then weathered a strong revival by Tonga which cut the lead to 26-22 midway through the second half.

Prop Viliame Seuseu, hooker Sunia Koto and league convert Alipati Noilea also scored tries for Fiji while fullback Taniela Rawaqa overcame a shaky start to convert four of Fiji's five tries and to add a penalty. Rawaqa ended with 11 points.

"I am feeling very good for the players," Fiji coach Ilivasa Tabua said. "We set ourselves a goal at the beginning of the PNC to start off well here in Tonga. This is a beginning of it and we want to continue like this (in Fiji) next week."

The remaining matches in the Pacific tournament will be played in Fiji, beginning next Thursday when Japan meet Samoa and the Junior All Blacks take on Fiji.

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