LIVE: ‘Unbelievable’ try as Samoa in box seat for World Cup berth in epic clash with Tonga

Samoa lead Tonga 26-16 in their blockbuster Pacific Championships clash that doubles as a 2026 World Cup qualifier at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

Epic Sivi Tau and Sipi Tau renditions set the scene for a mouth-watering clash between the arch rivals.

MATCH CENTRE: Tonga Women vs Samoa Women teams, scores, videos, updates

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Centre Sarina Masaga sliced through on the outside to dive over for the first try of the evening to give Samoa an early lead.

A penalty against Tonga gave halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasabale the chance to extend Samoa lead to 6-0.

Tonga prop Pani Hopoate was placed on report for an ugly lifting tackle that gifted Samoa field position.

Off the ensuing set Destiny Brill put lock Sienna Lofipo over from close range from dummyhalf to extend the lead to two converted tries.

Bench forward Filomina Hanisi charged onto an inside pass from Cassey Tohi-Hiku to score a contentious try after a dubious put down, but Tonga were back in the match.

However, former Jillaroo Evania Pelite put Jessica Patea over in the corner with a perfectly timed pass to restore Samoa’s advantage.

Masaga bookended a classy first half with another try to make it a four tries to one and 20-6.

However, 18-year-old gun Manilita Takapautolo sliced through to score a crucial try to keep Tonga in it at 20-10 at half-time.

Tonga started the second half the stronger with Lavinia Tauhalaliku scoring from a charging run back on the inside to cut the Samoan lead to just four.

Patea finished of the try of the match with Samoa putting one hand on a World Cup berth with a scintillating long-range stunner.

“That was unbelievable,” Matt Russell said on Fox League.

MATCH PREVIEW

Tonga take on Samoa in a blockbuster Pacific Championships clash that doubles as a 2026 World Cup qualifier at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

For Tonga, Seli Mailangi joins the bench with Tatiana Finau the reserve player, while Samoa are 1-17, with Jasmine Fogavini.

For Tonga Emmanita Paki makes her international debut at five-eighth alongside Eels playmaker Cassey Tohi-Hiku, who moves from her regular No.6 jersey into the halfback role.

Exciting young fullback Ana Malupo and centre Kate Fallon also makes their Test debuts.

Forward Vanessa Foliaki will co-captain the Tonga side along with Natasha Penitani, who lines up for her third Test match.

After squaring off in the NRLW grand final a fortnight ago, Rooster Pani Hopoate and Sharks Tegan Dymock, Manilita Takapautolo, Filomina Hanisi and Foliaki are all now teammates.

For Samoa former Jillaroo Evania Pelite will start at fullback and is joined by fellow Titans Sienna Lofipo, Sarina Masaga and Laikha Clarke.

Tigers back-rower Christian Pio makes her Test debut on the back of a strong season in which she averaged 108 metres per game.

Flyer Mercedez Taulelei-Siala played centre for Queensland Under-19s against NSW this year and gets her first Test cap on the wing.

TEAMS

Tonga team: 1. Ana Malupo 2. Maatuleio Fotu-Moala 3. Litia Fusi 4. Kate Fallon 5. Lavinia Tauhalaliku 6. Emmanita Paki 7. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 8. Pani Hopoate 9. Jade Fonua 10. Tegan Dymock 11. Manilita Takapautolo 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Natasha Penitani 15. Filomina Hanisi 16. Danii Perese 17. Paea Uilou 19. Seli Mailangi Reserve player: 14. Tatiana Finau

Samoa team: 1. Evania Pelita 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 3. Lindsay Tui 4. Sarina Masaga 5. Jessica Patea 6. Tavarna Papalii 7. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 8. Anetta-Claudine Nu’uausala 9. Destiny Brill 10. Lakiha Clarke 11. Monalisa Soliola 12. Christian Pio 13. Sienna Lofipo 14. Jetaya Faifua 15. Simone Karpani 16. Pihuka Berryman-Duff 17. Evah McEwen. Reserve player: 18. Jasmine Fogavini