Tonga Stuns Samoa in Pacific Nations Cup Opener

Nuku‘alofa – Tonga launched their 2025 Pacific Nations Cup campaign in style with a commanding 30–16 win over Manu Samoa at Te‘ufaiva Stadium. The ‘Ikale Tahi stormed out to a 17–0 lead inside the opening stages, setting the platform for their first victory over Samoa since 2018. Displaying a blend of power and precision, Tonga crossed the try line three times to Samoa’s two and never looked back as they secured an important early advantage in Pool A.

Captain Ben Tameifuna praised his side’s discipline and physicality, calling the result “a critical win” as Tonga looks to lock in qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

For Manu Samoa, it was a bruising start to the tournament. Despite flashes of resilience, including a late try from Melani Nanai that offered a glimpse of their attacking spark, Samoa struggled to recover from Tonga’s blistering opening. The result will be a concern for Samoa’s coaching staff, who now face the task of rallying their squad ahead of the next round. For Tonga, however, the win represents a statement of intent and a resurgence of confidence—signaling to the rest of the Pacific that the ‘Ikale Tahi are back to winning ways.