Tonga shocked Pacific Island neighbours Samoa to throw the race in the World Cup for second place in Pool A wide open.

They defeated Samoa by 19 points to 15 this morning. Four penalties from Gavin Williams to two from Pierre Hola gave Samoa a 12-6 halftime lead.

Tonga took control after the break and Epi Tai-one's try and five points from Hola helped them into a 19-12 lead.

A fourth Williams penalty trimmed the game but despite losing two men late into the second half, Tonga held on to consolidate their second place in Group A with 8 points while South Africa leads with 9 points.

The result means England must now beat Tonga and Samoa to be in contention for a quarterfinal spot.

Meanwhile in Pool B Australia tops with 10 points while the FMF Flying Fijians also have 10 points but are in second place.

In Pool C New Zealand leads with 10 points and Scotland lies in second place with 5 points.

And in Pool D Argentina is on top with 9 points while Ireland is in second place with 9 points and host France which is playing Namibia at the moment is in third place with 1 point.