LIVE: New-look Tonga out to thwart desperate Samoa’s last bid in Pacific Championships epic
It’s been a brutal start to this game between Tonga and Samoa. After 25 minutes, Samoa lead 6-0.
Tonga are already down star prop Stefano Utoikamanu (category 1 HIA) after he copped an accidental high shot from Francis Molo.
MATCH CENTRE: Tonga v Samoa, stats, scores, live blog
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The highlight of the game so far has been Jeremiah Nanai’s bonerattling hit on Tongan centre Tolu Koula.
“This has been legally violent,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.
Samoa: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Brian To’o 3. Izack Tago 4. Deine Mariner 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Jarome Luai 17. Francis Molo 15. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Payne Haas 11. Jeremiah Nanai 12. Simi Sasagi 13. Junior Paulo 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Jazz Tevaga 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Terrell May 18th man: 16. Ativalu Lisati
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Robert Toia 5. Sione Katoa 6. Isaiah Iongi 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Siliva Havili 10. Stefano Utoikamanu 15. Leka Halasima 12. Eliesa Katoa 16. Felise Kaufusi 11. Siua Wong 14. Soni Luke 17. Moeaki Fotuaika 18. Demitric Vaimauga 18th man: 19. Paul Alamoti
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Tonga’s Pacific Championships campaign gets underway this afternoon at Suncorp Stadium when they take on Samoa, who are aiming to keep their tournament alive.
Samoa went down in a thriller to New Zealand last week and need to win this to remain a chance of progressing to the Pacific Cup final on November 9.
If Tonga win, they’ll play New Zealand in the final no matter what happens in next week’s fixture against the Kiwis.
Today’s clash shapes up as a beauty with Tonga fielding quite possibly the strongest team they ever have in a Test match.
They were the real surprise packets of last year’s tournament, losing to Australia in the 2024 Pacific Cup by just six points.
In a massive blow, star middle forward Jason Taumalolo is a late out via injury. He’s been replaced in the starting side by Felise Kaufusi.
