Samoa have qualified for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan after winning the second leg of the Oceania/Europe play-off against Germany 42-28 in Heidelberg on Saturday.

The hard-fought victory, combined with the 66-15 first leg win in Apia, confirmed a 108-43 aggregate win and a place in Pool A alongside Ireland, Scotland, Japan and Russia.

Germany were competitive at home, leading by one point at halftime and by two until the 69th minute when Samoa fullback Ahsee Tuala crossed and converted to tie things up at 28-28.

Six minutes later, right wing Ed Fidow walked in his second try of the match, before former Tuala – the former Counties Manukau representative – sprinted in for his double in the 80th minute, converting that and Samoa’s five others for a personal haul of 22 points.

The Samoans have played at the last seven editions of the event, and their best result was the quarterfinals, at their first two, in 1991 and 1995.

Germany, 12 places behind their opponents in the World Rugby Rankings, will take great heart from a spirited performance that will give confidence ahead of their participation in the Repechage in Marseille in November.

In what promises to be a fascinating tournament, Germany will meet Canada, Hong Kong and the Rugby Africa Gold Cup runner-up in a round-robin format contested over three match days on November 11, 17 and 23.

Congratulating Samoa on his twitter account, World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Congratulations to Samoa on Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification and a place in Pool A. Germany will be encouraged by a strong performance as they look ahead to November’s Repechage.”