Toa Samoa assured place in the Pacific Championships Final

Apia, Samoa – 27 October 2025 – A 90-minute lightning delay at Suncorp Stadium didn’t dampen Samoa’s spirits as they recorded their first Test win in three years and booked a ticket to the Pacific Cup final with a 34-6 win over Tonga.

In Apia, die hard fans were already on victory parades breaking the Sunday night lull with war cries – kiususū – the Toa Samoa war-cry. The silence was broken every now and then with intermittent cheers as Toa Samoa scores more tries when the game continued after the lighting delay.

Fans held parades in and around Apia town and even a flotilla of canoes flying Samoan and Toa Samoa flags, in support of the team in the days before the much anticipated match.

With 44,000 vocal fans pouring in to watch these two proud countries do battle, the game came to a screeching half in the 60th minute though. With Samoa leading 16-0, referee Todd Smith directed players off the field due to lightning being in the area.

However, after the delay Samoa were able to pick up where they left off, scoring three tries in the final 20 minutes.

Given they won by more than 12, Samoa are assured of a spot in the final in a fortnight’s time.

Toa Samoa fans in a flotilla of canoes showing their support.

The huge margin makes life difficult for their opponents though. Tonga will need to beat New Zealand by 17 or more next week to progress to the final.

It was a brutal battle, particularly in the first half, with Samoa showing their intent early by laying on some bone-rattling hits.

Jeremiah Nanai’s tackle on Tongan centre Tolu Koula inside the first 90 seconds set the tone defensively.

“This has been legally violent,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.

Later in the first half, Junior Paulo levelled out Tonga hooker Soni Luke in a crunching tackle.

“That is massive,” Voss yelled after the hit.

“It turned savage. The Samoans have teed off on the Tongans. They have been unrelenting,” Mick Ennis said on Fox League.

For Tonga, it’s back to the drawing board as they need to save their Pacific Championships campaign next week.

Samoa were well in control all game and Tonga never really looked threatening at all.

“They were blown away,” Ennis said on Tonga.

“It was almost like Tonga started in gear two. They were on the back foot and couldn’t find their rhythm,” Cooper Cronk added.

Meanwhile, back in Samoa, the fans and supporters remain and holding on to the excitement of the moment despite Joseph Parkers loss to Fabio Wardley in the UK and Fetu Samoa’s 60-0 drumming by the Jillaroos.

Jillaroos winger Jessica Sergis crossed for two tries against Fetū Sāmoa. (AAP: Dave Hunt)