Pacific Nations Cup 2023: Ikale Tahi Bring out Stars to Topple Manu Samoa

When Manu Samoa hosts the Ikale Tahi from Tonga at Apia Park for their Pacific Nations Cup fixture on 5 August, there is plenty of motivation for both sides. Manu Samoa will be looking to cement their combinations with players coming from all ends of the globe and will not want to drop this game with momentum crucial with the World Cup just around the corner. Tonga on the other hand will be motivated by their recent record against Samoa which they will look to rectify to boost their World Cup hopes and appease their legion of loyal fans spread all over the world.

Head-to-head, Samoa boasts a superior 56% win ratio with 38 wins from 68 games and four draws, while Tonga has won 26 times with a 38% win ratio. Tonga’s biggest winning margin is 23 while Samoa’s biggest winning margin is 49. Based on recent results, Manu Samoa heads into this Pacific Nations Cup fixture as favourites having won the last four games between the two proud island nations. Samoa has also not lost to Tonga since 2018. Samoa also sits higher on the current world rankings at 12 ahead of Tonga (15th).

However, form and world rankings usually got out the window when the Pacific Island rivals clash. Tonga and Samoa are both capable of winning on any given day and the history and the traditional rivalry they both share just adds to the intensity whenever the two proud nations meet. There is guaranteed to be huge hits on defence and sore bodies after the game!

Tonga is a much-improved side on paper this year. The 2023 squad is stacked with talent with the likes of former Wallabies stars Israel Folau and Adam Coleman, plus former All Blacks, Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Vaea Fifita and Malakai Fekitoa answering the call. This gives Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu plenty of options and a healthy selection headache.

Tonga is in arguably in the toughest pool at this year’s Rugby World Cup with Ireland, South Africa, Scotland and Romania.

Manu Samoa on the other hand has assembled one of the most powerful squads in years as Manu head into their ninth Rugby World Cup in France. Samoa has made the most of changes to rugby’s eligibility laws and recruited a number of high-profile players to bolster Samoa’s World Cup hopes and aspirations to reach the knock-out stages

for the first time since 1995. The addition of former All Blacks such as Lima Sopoaga, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and former Wallabies pivot Christian Lealiifano will add experience to a team already brimming with talent. Former Super Rugby stars Fritz Lee and Jordan Taufua and former USA prop Titi Lamositele, who played for the Eagles in the last World Cup, adds even more quality and selection options for coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua. Samoa is drawn in Pool D with Chile, Japan, Argentina and England for Rugby World Cup 2023.

Head-To-Head – Samoa vs Tonga:

• Manu Samoa and Ikale Tahi Tonga have played 68 games * Samoa has a superior win ratio of 56% with 38 wins
• Tonga has won 26 times with a 38% win ratio, with 4 draws
• Tonga’s biggest winning margin is 23
• Samoa’s biggest winning margin is 49
• Samoa winger and former captain, David Lemi is the top tryscorer in all games between the two nations with 7 tries in 12 appearances against Tonga. He is followed by Alesana Tuilagi with 5 tries.
• Cooper Vuna, Elisi Vunipola, Sila Va’enuku and Tau- naholo Taufahema are Tonga’s top tryscorers with 2 tries each

Recent Results:

2022 – Samoa 34-18 Tonga
2021 – Samoa 42-13 Tonga
2021 – Samoa 37-15 Tonga
2019 – Samoa 25-17 Tonga
2018 – Tonga 28-18 Samoa
2017 – Tonga 30-26 Samoa
2017 – Samoa 30-10 Tonga
2014 – Samoa 18-18 Tonga
2012 – Samoa 20-18 Tonga
2011 – Samoa 19-29 Tonga
2010 – Samoa 24-23 Tonga