Tongan players training in Apia for the Test against Manu Samoa on Friday. Photo: Tonga Rugby Union
Tonga have named their strongest lineup available for their opening Pacific Nations Cup clash against Manu Samoa in Apia on Friday afternoon.
Missing their big-named players who are either unavailable or have been overlooked as a new coaching team takes charge, the Tongans are expecting nothing less than a physical battle.
Heavyweight prop Ben Tameifuna leads the team, with the inclusion of five Moana Pasifika players to back him.
Also named is new Moana Pasifika signing Patrick Pellegrini.
Inise brothers Lotu and Fine, prop Tau Koloamatangi, plus scrumhalves Manu Paea and Aisea Halo are the experienced hands in the team.
The others are mostly those who were recruited for the two-Test matches against Spain and Italy at home during the June/July Test window.
Head coach Tevita Tuifua and assistant Nili Latu have had to scramble for players as most squad members from the 2023 Rugby World Cup have either indicated they are not interested or unavailable due to club commitments in Europe or New Zealand.
Others have also been left out by the two coaches, who now have the tough task of getting a squad that can start preparing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification.
Manu Samoa players preparing for the rugby battle against Tonga in Apia. Photo: Lakapi Samoa
Tuifua said the Manu Samoa clash is going to be tough.
"It is not an easy game," he said.
"They are playing at home and with their local fans supporting them they will definitely be coming hard at us.
"But we will focus on our game and try and play the way we want to."
Samoa is celebrating 100 years of rugby's existence, with Lakapi Samoa spearheading the program throughout the week.
Tuifua knows that means the Test match on Friday will be something Samoans are going to be looking forward to.
Tonga is also celebrating 100 years of rugby and getting a win in Apia will be cause of celebration also.
Both teams will be eager to get a win over the other, especially since the result will determine whether they have a chance of getting through to the final play-offs.
This year the PNC has been expanded and now includes an Asia pool, where Japan, Canada and the United States of America are featured.
Tongan players training in Apia for the Test against Manu Samoa on Friday. Photo: Tonga Rugby Union
Following the round robin pool matches, teams are then scheduled to play across pool, with the third placed teams fighting off for fith and sixth positions.
The top two teams from each pools will then meet in the semi-fonals, the winners playing the runners-up.
Tuifua said their focus is just taking one game at a time and trying to build on their game and combinations.
Manu Samoa, meanwhile, will need to win if they want to advance into the finals.
They lost 42-16 to Fiji in Suva last week.
Consistency key for Manu
Manu Samoa head coach Mase Mahorni Schwalger has retained some of his key players from the side that lost in Suva last Friday for the clash against Tonga.
The former Samoan captain has kept his faith in flanker Theo McFarland, naming him as captain again.
McFarland has eight Moana Pasifika players Sama Malolo, Samuela Slade, Malani Matavao, Tuna Tuitama, Iakopo Mapu, Michael Curry, Lalomilo Lalomilo and Alai D'Angelo Leuila backing him.
Manu Samoa players preparing for the rugby battle against Tonga in Apia. Photo: Lakapi Samoa
Against Fiji the Samoans led the game 16-15 at halftime but then indiscipline crept in and at the end they were made to suffer heavily.
The Samoans will have the local crowd behind them, especially with the match included as part of the country's centennial celebrations for rugby.
While Schwalger has not given away much to the media, the word from Apia is a win against Tonga is a must.
Former All Black and one of Samoa's favourite rugby sons, Tuifa'asisina Sir Bryan Williams, who is attending the rugby celebrations, said he was hoping to see a win for the home side.
The Samoa Observer said Tuifa'asisina represented the Manu Samoa when Samoa rugby gained worldwide recognition in three Rugby World Cups: 1991, 1995, and 1999. The team reached the quarterfinals in two of those World Cups: 1991 and 1995.
"My time with Manu Samoa was a very significant part of my life, and I really value that time," he said.
When asked about his thoughts on the clash against Fiji, he said "It was great to see Samoa leading at halftime, but then obviously not a great second half, so they've got some work to do".
Tuifa'asisina emphasised the importance of celebrating the 100-year milestone of Lakapi Samoa, recognising the countless contributions and enduring memories that have shaped the country's rugby heritage.
History of clashes
The two teams have played a total of 68 Test matches between themselves since 1924.
Samoa has won 38, Tonga 26 and four drawn.
In the last eight matches since 2016, Samoa had won six, the latest being the 34-9 win over Tonga at home in the PNC competition, last year.
Samoa had also won 34-18 in Lautoka in 2022, 42-13 in Auckland in 2021, 37-15 in Hamilton in 2021, 25-17 in Apia in 2019 and 30-10, also at Apia Park, in 2016.
Tonga was only able to win two of the last eight test matches, winning 28-18 in Suva in 2018 and 30-26 in Nuku'alofa back in 2017.
Friday's Test starts at 5pm Samoa Time.
'Ikale Tahi team: 1. Tau Koloamatangi 2. Penisoni Fineanganofo 3, Ben Tameifuna (captain) 4. Harrison Matale 5. Onehunga Kaufusi 6. Tupou Afungia 7. Siosiua Moala 8. Lotu Inise 9. Manu Paea 10. Patrick Pellegrini 11. John Tapueluelu 12. Fetuli Paea (vice captain) 13. Fine Inisi 14. Esau Filimoehala 15. Nikolai Foliaki (vice captain); Reserves - 16. Solomone Aniseko 17. Jethro Felemi 18. Brandon Televave 19. Tevita Ahokovi 20. Sosefo Sakalia 21. Aisea Halo 22. Tyler Pulini 23. Samuel Tuitupou
Manu Samoa team: 1. Aki Seiuli 2. Sama Malolo 3. Tieta Tuimauga 4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-nee 5. Samuel Slade 6. Theo MacFarland (captain) 7. Izalha Moore-Aiono 8. Iakopo Petelo Mapu 9. Melani Matavo 10. Alai D'Amgelo Leuila 11. Tomai Alosio 12. Alapati Leiua 13. Stacey Ili 14. Tuna Tuitama 15. Afa Moleli; Reserves - 16. Luteru Tolai, 17. Andrew Tuala 18. Brook Toomalatai 19. Mchael Curry 20. Jonah Mau'u 21. Danny Tusitala 22. Rodney Iona 23. Lalomilo Lalomilo