Fiji rallied after conceding an early try to defeat fellow Pacific Islanders Tonga in the Division B final and clinch promotion in the IRB Under 19 World Championship with a battling performance at the Dubai Exiles RFC.
Their leading points scorer Seremaia Tagicakibau was again a key man for Fiji, the wing finishing with a try, two conversions and a penalty for a personal haul of 12 points, taking his tally to 56 for the tournament.
However this was a team effort based on solid defence and attacking flair as Fiji, who had to qualify for this tournament, secured their fifth victory in 17 testing days.
Tonga, who finished fourth last year, were out of the blocks very quickly and took the lead in only the second minute when fly half Richard Havili unlocked the defence with a show and go, slicing through from 15 metres out for a solo try close to the posts, converted by scrum half Samisioni Fisilau.
The Tongans enjoyed a clear edge in the opening quarter as they effectively shepherded Fiji across the field with their drift defence, were rock solid in the tackle and also had more penetration with the ball in hand.
Wing Viliami Hakalo almost conjured up a second try for Tonga, his grubber kick behind the defence just bobbling out of play, before Fiji started to gradually haul themselves into the game by recycling possession for long periods.
Eventually they were able to make territory count when flanker Sakenasa Aca received a miss pass on the left touch some 10 metres out and danced inside the last defender before running around to make the conversion angle easier for Tagicakibau.
This kick ensured that the sides went in level at half time, but the deadlock was broken with a straightforward 25-metre penalty by Tagicakibau early in the second half as Fiji hit the front for the first time.