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Preview: Samoa v Tonga

One to watch: Alesana Tuilagi

The all-Pacific World Cup derby between Samoa and Tonga at Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, on Sunday will be a big hit... literally!

You have the two most savage teams on the planet when it comes to tackling. Big hits are a second nature. They may not always be legal, and are often borderline, but they are always BIG.

It often looks pretty impressive and very entertaining - unless of course you are the opponent being tackled. Then it is not fun at all.

However, expect some bone-crunching hits, hard running and plenty of action when these Pacific rivals go head-to-head on Sunday.

In terms of their World Cup prospects there's also a lot at stake, which will ensure a lot of energy and brute force go into the game.

Samoa, despite their opening 7-59 loss to South Africa, are still harbouring hopes of a quarter-final spot.

However, that will mean they need to beat Tonga on Sunday, England (six days later) and the United States (on September 26).

Tonga started their campaign with a 25-15 victory over the US Eagles at the same Stade de la Mosson earlier this week and are now also beginning to dream big dreams.

But in their path lies Samoa, South Africa (September 22) and England (September 28). It is a tall order indeed.

First up are their Pacific 'cousins', a team they have not beaten for seven years.

Samoan coach Michael Jones is well aware how determined Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles) will be to end that streak.

"We haven't lost to them for seven years. We'll be facing some pretty determined, angry Tongans. We know how to beat them, but anything can happen at this stage," Jones said in his assessment of the fixture.

"They kept their game [against the US] pretty simple. If they can beat us that's a feather in their caps, but we're training smart, working on some key areas. The boys are very relaxed and very excited. We're looking forward to this game. Playing our Tongan brothers is always a highlight for us."

Samoa will be without a couple of key players - centre Alfie Vaeluaga being given a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on South African full-back Percy Montgomery and wing Brian Lima suffering concussion when one of those infamous big hits went awry against the Springboks.

While the Samoans are engaged in 'war talk, Tonga skipper Nili Latu tried to pile the pressure onto their rivals.

"There's no pressure on us, I think the pressure is on Samoa, they haven't had a win yet [at the World Cup]," Latu said.

"We still have a lot in the tank, so I've got a lot of confidence in my boys that we'll come round on Sunday."

Players to watch:

For Samoa: For those familiar with the Super 14 competition you would be well aware of names like Lome Fa'atau, Census Johnston and Mahonri Schwalger. Alesana Tuilagi made an impact against the Springboks, but he was shut down very well. Gavin Williams caused the Bok defence some headaches in midfield and may well be worth more than a cursory glance.

For Tonga: Players like captain Nili Latu and Hale T-Pole are household names in New Zealand, where they ply their trade. But the key player for the Tongans, hoping to end a seven-year losing streak in this Pacific rivalry, will be how fly-half Pierre Hola controls proceedings.

Head to head: As we said, bit hits are synonymous with Samoa and Tonga and two of the biggest hitters are the number eights - Semo Sititi (Samoa) and Finau Maka (Tonga). Pacy wingers are always a feature of the Pacific nations and it would be worth the entrance fee to see how the powerful Alesana Tuilagi (Samoa) shapes up against Tevita Tu'ifua (Tonga).

Recent results:

2007: Samoa won 50-3, Apia
2006: Samoa won 36-0, Gosford
2005: Samoa won 30-19, Nuku'alofa
2005: Samoa won 50-28, Apia
2004: Samoa won 24-14, Apia
2002: Samoa won 31-13, Apia
2002: Samoa won 27-16, Nuku'alofa
2001: Samoa won 23-14, Nuku'alofa
2001: Samoa won 20-18, Apia
2000: Tonga won 16-13, Nuku'alofa

Prediction: Samoa certainly look the better all round team, but you can't discard the Tongans - who are never short of passions and vigour. However, we see it as a close with for Samoa (by 10 to 15 points) and another year of heartache for Tonga.

Teams:

Samoa: 15 Gavin Williams, 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Loki Crichton, 9 Steve So'oialo, 8 Semo Sititi (captain), 7 Ulia Ulia, 6 Daniel Leo, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Joe Tekori, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Tanielu Fuga, 17 Muliufi Salanoa, 18 Leo Lafaiali'i, 19 Justin Purdie, 20 Junior Polu, 21 Lolo Lui, 22 David Lemi.

Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Tevita Tu'ifua, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Epeli Taione, 11 Joseph Vaka, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Enele Taufa, 8 Finau Maka, 7 Nili Latu (c), 6 Hale T Pole, 5 Paino Hehea, 4 Inoke Afeaki, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Ephraim Taukafa, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Aleki Lutui, 17 Toma Toke, 18 Viliami Vaki, 19 'Emosi Kauhenga, 20 Sione Tu'ipulotu, 21 Isileli Tupou, 22 Hudson Tonga'uiha.

Date: Sunday, 16 September
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Conditions: Predominantly sunny. High 32°C, low 14°C
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Alan Lewis, Bryce Lawrence
Television match official: Lyndon Bray
Assessor: Ian Scotney