Samoa edge Tonga in nail biter

Two rival pacific nations looking to make a statement to the rugby league world ended with Samoa producing a frantic 18-16 win in front of 12 336 at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.

Locked up at 14 points apiece after an unconverted try to Samoan captain Frank Pritchard, both teams struggles to take advantage of their field position.

In the 65th minute Samoa were reeling on their try line and gave away a penalty to Sio Siua Taukieaho underneath the posts. Solomone Kata converted his chance at a penalty goal to land Tonga ahead 16-14 with 15 minutes to go.

It was a solo effort from Dominique Peyroux five minutes later off the bench that got a four pointer and the lead for Samoa which they would not give up.

Peyroux was given the ball flat footed 35 metres away from the try line, put on some quick footwork on the spot and then got the legs pumping to burst through the defensive line.

One on one with the fullback Tuimoala Lolohea 10 metres out the forward displayed a right step Justin Hodges would be proud of to fool the defender and score the critical try.

There was one more opportunity for Tonga to snatch a victory in the 77th minute when Fonua had the ball flat footed on the left wing 10m out from the line. With no defender in front of him it was a race between the unlikely charging cover defenders Sam Kasiano and Pritchard.

A 40/20 from halfback Samisoni Langi caught the Samoan defenders out of position in the 45th minute and it resulted in a try to Jorge Taufua on the following set.

Taufua bagged his double on the play after a cross field kick from Lolohea was split backwards by teammate Mahe Fonua and Taufua's hands we're closest to the free ball.

On the first set after that converted try Tonga consolidated their points by adding another try two minutes later. A line break from Langi at halfway forced the fullback to take him down. The following play was spread right for Sika Manu to cross over the chalk and the converted try gave Tonga a 14-10 lead.

The 6-0 lead Samoa earned in the 25th minute was shortened to 6-4 two minutes later as Solomone Kata provided a word class tackle break and offload during his sensation rookie season to Taufua for his first try.

Match Details

Samoa 18 Tonga 16
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Crowd: 12336
Halftime Score: Samoa 10 Tonga 4

SAMOA (18)
Tries: Josh McGuire, Daniel Vidot, Frank Pritchard, Dominique Peyroux
Conversions: Tim Simona (1/4)

TONGA (16)
Tries: Jorge Taufua (2), Sika Manu
Conversions: Samisoni Langi (0/2), Solomone Kata (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Solomone Kata (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Josh McGuire
2 points - Jorge Taufua
1 point - Siosiua Taukeiaho

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Good evening rugby league fans! We've got the second pacific test coming up with Samoa taking on their Tonga rivals. Both nations boast more current and future NRL stars than they've ever had which promises to make this an entertaining game. Kick off is approximately 10 minutes away at 7:40pm.

The anthems are finished, both teams have performed their haka, the crowd is loud and everyone is ready for some exciting rugby league.

The haka has really got the adrenaline pumping, we're expecting fireworks to begin the game.

Tonga are kicking off and we're underway!

Sam Kasiano and makeshift dummy half Josh McGuire have helped Samoa make 60m in their first set.

2: Tonga make it back to half way on the fifth tackle. Lolohea's kick spirals into Kasiano's head and bounces over the sideline. Ruled not played at and Samoa get the scrum on halfway.

3: Samoa's first entrance into Tonga's try line results in a penalty late in the count. Another set of six for Samoa from 10m out.

4: Samoa are sending forward after forward at the line trying to barge their way over. Not result from the set though and Fonua takes it up for Tonga.

5: Tonga go end to end in one set. Barnstorming runs gives Solomone Kata an opportunity to reach out and put the ball over the line for a try.

The play has been given to the video referee to review.

5: No try for Tonga. Kata performed a double movement after being taken down short of the line by Carlos Tuimavave.

5: A grubber kick from 30m out by Joseph Leilua puts pressure on Jorge Taufua. He gets caught with the ball deep in his own half.

5: Tonga have conceded another penalty and that's number three in the first 8 minutes. From 35m out Samoa choose to run the ball.

5: On tackle two Sam Kasiano attempted to be a five-eight and throws the ball too low for Pat Mata'utia and it rolls over the sideline.

10: Manu Ma'a tries to link up with Konrad Hurrell but the unexpected pass is dropped by Hurrell, Samoa with possession from 60m out.

10: Samoa quickly make their metres and Carlos Tuimavave takes on the line. Looming in support for a Tuimavave offload was Frank 'The Tank' Pritchard and he goes over the line untouched. The play was rightly ruled as obstruction because Sam Kasiano did interfere.

12: Last tackle for Tonga Lolohea juke past a couple of defenders and place a grubber kick into the in goal. Samoa are tackled in the in goal and the crowd are getting loud once again.

13: Tim Simona lands the drop out out of bounds on the full. Tonga gets the penalty from 10m out right in front.

14: On the first hit up Josh McGuire comes up with an excellent tackle to force the ball forward. Pressure released and Samoa will get the scrum.

15: Feki looks comfortable under a Tuimavave high ball. Tonga to start their set from 80m out.

16: Moga is tested with a bomb on fifth tackle and takes the ball whilst loosing his footing. On the goal line he's just makes it in the field of play.

17: Both teams are feeling the effect of a fast first 17 minutes. It's one pass and a hit up from each team with a bomb on fifth tackle.

17: Moga decides to leave a high ball and it bounces precariously towards the tryline. Feki comes close to retrieving the ball but it bounces out over the right touch line first.

19: A half break from Joey Leilua is all for nothing after Kata recovers to knock the ball out from behind.

20: Manu Ma'u charges right at the line on fifth tackle and a superb tackle from Carlos Tuimavave stops the front rower short. Carlos is showing as the best half on ground in the first 20 minutes.

21: As soon as I give Tuimavave a compliment he puts in a kick intended for the corner on fifth. It comes short for an uncontested catch for Feki but he drops it and forces a line dropout.

25: TRY SAMOA
Scored by Josh McGuire. Kick to come.
First points to Samoa and the crowd reacts as if they've won a grand final. Josh McGuire has never played dummy half until tonight, but from 2m out he's produced a dummy and dived to get the ball over the line.

25: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SAMOA
Conversion attempt by Tim Simona successful.
A basic kick from 15m right of the posts is good from Tim Simona.

26: The first set after points was sensational for all the wrong reasons. Frank Pritchard falls to the ground, gets up runs over halfway and puts a grubber kick in on third tackle. Turnover.

26: TRY TONGA
Scored by Jorge Taufua. Kick to come.
Tonga spread the ball left and Kata creates the try. He beats Leilua, pushes away Simona and offloads to Jorge Taufua to score on the left touchline.

27: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION TONGA
Conversion attempt by Samisoni Langi unsuccessful.
A kick from the left sideline fades away to the left. Unsuccessful.

30: Similarly to Samoa's first set after points Tonga disrespect the football and knock it on after making 60m in their set.

31: Tautau Moga puts in a poor grubber kick on fifth tackle from 10m out. It gives Hurrell space to barge overe Tuimavave and makes 20m. Samoa defenders stay on him too long and are called for a penalty.

33: Albert Vete personified a wrecking ball in making a line break in the middle of the field. Josh McGuire pulls him down and holds too long. He's lucky to still be on the field sometimes that is called as a 10 in the sin bin incident.

33: Tonga on fifth tackle had a 5 on 3 out left but a rushed Lolohea kick runs over the dead ball line. A big opportunity missed to score.

35: Carlos Tuimavave uses the fourth tackle to place a kick in the corner and Lolohea is trapped there in the field of play. The next play results in Feki dropping the ball from 5m out but luckily Samoa also knock the ball on. A double knock on gives Samoa the ball in attack from 10m out.

37: Samoa on tackle two have quick ball movement to the left wing. Daniel Vidot had plenty of work to do but he makes it over the line. The play has been sent to the video referee to decide on grounding and a potential obstruction.

37: TRY SAMOA
Scored by Daniel Vidot. Kick to come.
Grounding is confirmed on replays and Vidot just manages to keep his feet in the field of play against two Tonga defenders.

38: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SAMOA
Conversion attempt by Tim Simona unsuccessful.
Simona took the ball a long 35m back from the left sideline mark and it just brushes past the right post.

39: On the first set after points finally Samoa produce a solid set to consolidate their points.

40: That's halftime. Play will resume in approximately 13 minutes.

40: It's been a tight first half on the scoreboard but the play from both sides has been rather free flowing. Samoa's decision to put their biggest forwards on and not worry about a specialist dummy half has produced some benefits. When Tonga have position in Samoa's 20m area they look dangerous and could put many points on in the second half. With the previous match between these two in 2013 resulting in Tonga winning 36-4, it's not likely to be a similar result. We're anticipating a close finish. Stayed tuned for kick off in approximately 5-10 minutes.

40: Both teams are now in position on the field and Samoa will kick off.

41: Tonga must have been told to run harder in the sheds at halftime. Three great runs to start. However on tackle four Sika Manu drops the football. Samoa get a scrum from 40m out.

42: Joseph Leilua breaks a tackle and makes 10m on the right touch line. He drops the ball as well and that's a turnover.

44: It's a penalty to Tonga. Three players in the tackle have ruled to have raked the ball out. Tonga in possession 15m out and six tackles.

45: Siosiua Taukeiaho charges at the line, spins and crashes over the line but he's lost it cold. Samoa rush to the 20m line to resume play.

45: A disappointing end to a great set. Leutele kicks straight into the arms of Lolohea from 10m out.

45: 40/20 TONGA
Samisoni Langi kicks a 40/20.
Samisoni Langi gets a clearing kick in and Samoa did not expect a 40/20 to be called. Great play.

48: TRY TONGA
Scored by Jorge Taufua. Kick to come.
Tonga's set on Samoa's goal line saw Kata get extremely close to planting the ball down. Then Lolohea on fifth tackle kicks long to the left wing in goal and Fonua knocks Mata'utia, pushes the ball back and Jorge Taufua plants the ball down. Video referee clears the play and confirms the try.

49: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION TONGA
Conversion attempt by Samisoni Langi unsuccessful.
Another near sideline conversion for Langi and he's pushed it to the right of the posts.

51: TRY TONGA
Scored by Sika Manu. Kick to come.
Tonga's Langi busts through Samoa's line from halfway on tackle four. Lolohea does well to force a tackle 10m out. The next play saw plenty of support players around the football and Sika Manu carries the ball over with one defender on his back.

52: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION TONGA
Conversion attempt by Solomone Kata successful.
After two misses from Langi, Solomone Kata is given the tee and he converts from halfway between the middle of the field and the right touchline.

52: Tonga have completed 6/8 sets in the second half and Samoa 1/2.

54: Daniel Vidot gains the football from a towering bomb on Tonga's fifth tackle. He takes the ball to the 20m line.

55: Penalty to Samoa. Sauaso Sue is penalised for raking the ball but replays show it was a simple dropped ball. Regardless, Samoa with the ball 20m out and a full set.

56: TRY SAMOA
Scored by Frank Pritchard. Kick to come.
Tonga players rush to winger Vidot to force him over the sideline. Five Tongan's swarm him but they allow him to offload the ball. Moga passes to the captain Frank Pritchard and he goes over the line.

56: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SAMOA
Conversion attempt by Tim Simona unsuccessful.
From 30m out, 10m in from left touchline Simona leaves it to the left of the posts. We're all tied up with 22 minutes to go.

58: Samoa are breaking tackles and dishing offloads. Tonga try to slow the play the ball down and are penalised. Sam Kasiano is very heated and ready to unleash on Tonga.

60: Michael Sio comes within 5m of the line and dives over next to the posts. The play is given to the video referee with the on field referee Ben Cummins thinking it's no try and a possible legal strip.

60: No try is ruled. The ball was knocked on short of the try line. Tonga will get the feed of a scrum 10m out.

61: The Samoan forwards are asserting their dominance, pushing players backwards.

61: A long kick is required to gain field position for Tonga.

61: On fifth tackle a high bomb is expertly defused by Feki. Now Lolohea is in space, stepping two players and passing to Kata to gain 15m more metres. The game is opening up now.

61: Samoa are reeling now. Metres are coming at ease for Tonga and from 5m out underneath the posts Samoa are penalised for holding on to the tackled player too long.

65: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL TONGA
Penalty goal attempt by Solomone Kata successful.
They opted for the penalty kick straight away to gain the lead.

66: A gain of 60m from Tonga on the first set after points. A short kick means Moga fields the ball on his 5m line and is tackled.

67: Feki gives all Tongan fans a heart attack as he drops the ball slightly backwards when fielding Samoa's fifth tackle kick deep into Tonga's half.

67: Lolohea puts a bomb into orbit and Samoa wanted nothing of it even though it was in their own in goal. Fonua almost catches and plants the ball down but it was too difficult to catch. Samoa will get the ball 20m out.

70: TRY SAMOA
Scored by Dominique Peyroux. Kick to come.
Dominique Peyroux from 35m out has just made danced slightly, then stepped on the gas and busted through the line. Then one on one with Lolohea provides a word class step to go score a four pointer for Samoa. The play of the game.

71: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SAMOA
Conversion attempt by Tim Simona unsuccessful.
Samoa are sticking with their kicker who is 1/3 tonight and he's taking plenty of time lining the kick up. He's kicked it straight slightly to the left of the posts.

71: The conversion kick was between halfway and the left touchline.

72: Taukeiaho for Tonga is penalised as he has jumped out from dummy half too early and knocked the ball away.

72: Tim Simona has been left holding his right ankle after it bent awkwardly in a tackle. 30m away from the Tongan line play is stopped. This may guarantee that he doesn't attempt another conversion kick this game.

73: The first play after the break was unfortunate as Albert Vete forces the ball loose and his chest beating fires up the Tongan fans.

74: Tim Simona did stay on the field to play the ball but as much as he wanted to stay on he's been brought off the field moments later.

74: Big metres from Tonga in this set and Lolohea's low kick on fifth tackle is fielded by Sika Manu on the Samoa goal line.

75: Only 30m were gained from Samoa as fatigue is showing. Sam Kasiano is left flat on the ground after Richie Fa'aoso put in a big shot. Video referee reviewed it but they well force Kasiano to play on.

76: Tonga have first tackle on the halfway line and they'll be tough to stop now.

76: Tonga receive a penalty from 40m out and there's lots of confusion as to whether they chose a penalty goal or a kick to touch. Despite the 2 point margin Tonga decide to play on.

77: Fonua was 10m left with an open tryline and he charges for the line in desperation. Coming to deny Fonua was a barnstorming Sam Kasiano and captain Frank Pritchard to sensationally stop the try and force Fonua out of bounds. It could possibly be ruled foul play as that is what the video referee will review.

77: Those two forwards showed masses of pride in their jersey and nation with that play. The video referee is ok with the play and Samoa will play the ball 20m out.

78: Sam Kasiano comes off the field. Not injured, just extremely tired. A brilliant performance from the Canterbury Bulldog.

78: Samoa kick the ball out to get a break and air in the lungs. One minute and 30 seconds for Tonga 70m away from the try line.

78: In what is likely their last set Tonga reach the 20m line desperation football on fifth tackle. Konrad Hurrell has gone down and play is stopped. No penalty called but lets see what the video replay shows.

78: Dominique Peyroux's shoulder made unintentional contact with Konrad Hurrell which wasn't illegal but will have hurt Hurrell. No penalty is ruled and Hurrell will be forced to play the ball once he receives his medical attention.

78: Hurrell is coming off the field and Tonga have 36 seconds and 1 tackle to produce points.

78: Tonga have run side to side and Sika Manu in an attempt to break the line from a Lolohea pass is brought down by three defenders 10m out. Eleven seconds to go and time is stopped. Murdoch-Masila is having to come off the field due to an ankle injury picked up in that play. Samoa will paly the ball 5m out.

80: Full Time at Cbus Super Stadium Samoa win 18-16 over Tonga. A strong crowd of 12 336 at the Gold Coast stadium were treated to a high quality test match between the pacific nations and they are showing their respect to the players by being extremely vocal. A match report will follow to detail this sensational test match. Thank you very much for your company tonight, good night.