By Richard Cowley, Date: 20/4/13
On a cold night in Penrith 10,143 Samoan and Tongan fans packed Centrebet Stadium to see the two Pacific nations pickup were they left off in 2008.
The atmosphere at the ground made the game feel like it was the World Cup Final. Where ever you looked there was a sea Tongan and Samoan flags. Prior to the game both nations did their traditional war dances which really got the crowd going before kick-off.
Scroll through photos from 2013 Tonga v Samoa Pacific International match. (click next on image on right)
The first half lived up to expectations with both sides really putting their bodies on the line in attack and defence. Tonga crossed over 3 minutes into the game via Samsoni Langi who also converted his own try.
Tonga crossed again 7 minutes later when Siuatonga Likiliki crossed over to put Tonga ahead 10 – 0
Samoa finally crossed over 26 minutes into the match via Daniel Vidot. The score remained 10 – 4 up until half time.
The second half saw Tonga put on 5 tries with Samoa’s forwards unable to contain the Tongan firepower up front.
With the game virtually over after the Mahe Fonua try in the 78th minute, fans stormed the field and full time was called around one minute early leaving Samsoni Langi unable to take his final conversion attempt.
As it happened:
3 minute mark – Samsoni Langi scores just to right of posts TON 4 – SAM 0, Samsoni Langi converts TON 6 – SAM 0
10 minute mark – Siuatonga Likiliki scores out wide TON 10 – SAM 0, Samsoni Langi misses conversion TON 10 – SAM 0
26 minute mark – Daniel Vidot scores out wide TON 10 – SAM 4, Ben Roberts misses conversion TON 10 – SAM 4
Half Time Score – Tonga 10 – Samoa 4
42 minute mark – Siuatonga Likiliki scores to right of posts TON 14 – SAM 4, Samsoni Langi misses conversion TON 14 – SAM 4
58 minute mark – Etu Uaisele scores to right of posts TON 18 – SAM 4, Samsoni Langi converts TON 20 – SAM 4
62 minute mark – Mahe Fonua scores to left of posts TON 24 – SAM 4, Samsoni Langi converts TON 26 – SAM 4
72 minute mark – Samsoni Langi scores to left of posts TON 30 – SAM 4, Samsoni Langi converts TON 32 – SAM 4
78 minute mark – Mahe Fonua scores to left of posts TON 36 – SAM 4, Samsoni Langi converts TON 36 – SAM 4 (game stopped before kick could be taken as fans run onto field)
Full Time Score – Tonga 36 – Samoa 4
Centrebet Stadium, Penrith, Sydney.
Crowd: 10,143
Man of the Match:
2013 Pacific International – Tonga v Samoa final teams
Ma’a Tonga:
1 Glen Fisi’ahi – New Zealand Warriors
2 Mahe Fonua – Melbourne Storm
3 Michael Oldfield – Sydney Roosters
4 Siuatonga Likiliki – Newcastle Knights
5 Etu Uaisele – Wyong Roos
6 Samsoni Langi – Sydney Roosters
7 Daniel Foster – Penrith Panthers
8 Brent Kite – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (Captain)
14 Silivia Havili – New Zealand Warriors
18 Fuifui Moimoi – Parramatta Eels
11 Sika Manu – Penrith Panthers
12 Jason Taumalolo – North Queensland Cowboys
13 Anthony Tupou – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
INTERCHANGE
9 Nafe Seluini – Sydney Roosters
10 Sam Moa – Sydney Roosters
16 Richie Fa’aoso – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
17 Benny Murdoch-Masila – Wests Tigers
Toa Samoa:
1 Matthew Wright – Cronulla Sharks
2 Kalifa Faifai Loa – NQ Cowboys
3 Antonio Winterstein – NQ Cowboys
4 Junior Sa’u – Melbourne Storm
5 Daniel Vidot – St George Illawarra
6 Carlos Tuimavave – NZ Warriors
7 Ben Roberts – Parramatta Eels
8 Jeff Lima – South Sydney Rabbitohs
9 Masada Iosefa – West Tigers
10 Roy Asotasi – South Sydney Rabbitohs (Captain)
11 Eddy Pettybourne – West Tigers
12 Sam Tagataese – Cronulla Sharks
13 Lama Tasi – Sydney Roosters
INTERCHANGE
14 Leeson Ah Mau – St George Illawarra
15 Martin Taupau – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
16 Mark Taufua – Cronulla Sharks
17 Alex Elisala – NQ Cowboys
If you want to find out more about rugby league in Tonga click here
If you want to find out more about rugby league in Samoa click here
