By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific
The ‘Ikale Tahi of Tonga have started their Pacific Nations Cup 2025 campaign and 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier on a high, defeating Samoa 30-16 in Nuku’alofa on Saturday afternoon.
Strengthened with at least 12 of their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaigners, the Tongans gave their fans at Te’ufaiva Stadium something to celebrate, dominating the game early and taking control from the opening minutes.
In the end they scored three tries to Manu Samoa’s two, the difference coming from the boots of Tongan flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini.
The game was the first in the PNC series for the year, and also kicked off the world cup qualification for Oceania.
It kicked off with the traditional game challenges, Tonga laying down their sipitau challenge while Manu Samoa replied with their ‘Manu Samoa’ sivitau.
Captain Ben Tameifuna, one of the survivors from the 2023 campaign in France, thanked God and fans for their support post match, adding the win was critical for their campaign.
“Thankful to everyone for their support, Manu Samoa for the game and the boys for sticking to the fight,” he said.
“It was a tough match, as we expected, but glad we were able to get the win.
“The job is not done yet and we will re-focus on what’s next.”
Next is Fiji in Suva next weekend.
Head coach Tevita Tuifua, who with assistant Nili Latu, have been working on re-shaping the team since last year, said it was good to win the first match and get that out of the way.
“Thank the boys for sticking with the game plan,” he said.
“We planned to work hard throughout and start well and the players did that. Now we can come back next week and work on what we need to before we tackle Fiji.”
Manu Samoa captain Theodore MacFarland congratulated Tonga and said his team will go back to the drawing board and work on areas they need to before they face Fiji in Rotorua on 6 September.
“Tough one but Tonga played well and we will re-group,” he added.
Tonga started the scoring in the game, taking just seven minutes to get on the scoreboard.
Led by big Tameifuna, the forwards went into a drive towards the Samoan line after six minutes, with flanker Siosiua Moala diving over the line. Pellegrini converted for Tonga to lead 7-0.
The forward battle were fierce and physical, both packs trying to out-do each other for possession and control.
The home team had the upper hand as Tameifuna, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Siua Maile, Halaleva Fifita, Tanginoa Halaifonua, and tough Moana Pasifika number eight Lotu Inisi combined to slowly dominate the ground battle.
Veteran halfback Sonatane Takulua, who had to comeback from retirement, scored the team’s second try in the 24th minute when he chased a loose ball from a Samoan lineout.
Samoa had tapped the ball back from a lineout close to their line and Takulua ran in, collec ted and diver over the line. Pellegrini’s conversion saw Tonga lead 17-0, having slotted a penalty earlier.
Tonga’s backline of Pellegrini, wingers John Tapueluelu and Fine Inisi, centres Fetuli Paea and Solomone Kata, plus fullback Salesi Piutau kept changing options and pushed the Samoans hard in defense.
Manu Samoa fought hard to get on the scoreboard and a penalty to flyhalf AJ Alatimu converted a penalty inside the Tongan half to put their first points on the board.
Pellegrini added another penalty before Alatimu got his second through the posts, as Tonga led 20-6 at the break.
The second half was intense and play went from one end of the field to the other.
Samoa’s MacFarland and his pack of Aki Seiuli, Pita Anae-Ah Sue, Michael Alaalatoa, Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, Samuel Slade, Taleni Seu and Iakopo Mapu worked hard in their set-pieces and the battle for possession.
It paid off for the side when winger Tuna Tuitama finished off in the corner, after some good exchanges in the 60th minute.
That brought Samoa back within range, with nine points to chase.
But Pellegrini kicked another penalty before replacement hooker Samiuela Moli finished off a strong Tongan forward maul in the 80th minute.
The conversion from the Moana Pasfika flyhalf saw Tonga’s lead go to 30-11.
Manu Samoan winger Melani Nanai finished off with a spectacular dive in the corner following a counter from Samoa, and with time running out it was a case of too little, too late for the visitors to Nuku’alofa.
Fans at Te’ufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa following Saturday’s opening 2025 Pacific Nations Cup clash and 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifier clash between Samo and Tonga. Tonga won 30-16. Photo: Supplied / Tonga Rugby
Samoa will have a bye next week when the second round of the Pacific zone is played, with Tonga travelling to Suva to face the Flying Fijians.
The Asia/America zone kicked off this afternoon (Saturday NZ time) as well with Canada defeating United States of America 34-20 in Calgary.
Three rounds of round-robin matches will be played in the two different zones or pools, before the play-off across the zones will be staged in the United States of America.
Three teams from Canada, Samoa, Tonga and USA will qualify from the series for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Fiji and Japan already qualified.
