Suncorp Stadium vibrated like a fale under cyclone winds as Toa Samoa roared to a commanding 34–6 victory over Tonga XIII in Round 2 of the Pacific Championships on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
A crowd of 44,682 — the largest for a non-Kangaroos Test since 1957 — rode the emotional waves of a three-hour epic that included a record-shattering 95-minute lightning delay, the longest in rugby league history. But when the storm clouds cleared, Samoa’s blue wave of belief rolled straight into the Pacific Cup Final set for November 9 at CommBank Stadium. 🏝️🇼🇸🔥🇹🇴
Samoa Sets the Tone Early
From the opening whistle, Samoa played with that Polynesian pride and warrior ferocity that defines Toa blue.
Jeremiah Nanai crunched Tolutau Koula on the first hit, sending a clear message: “This is our house tonight.” Moments later, Francis Molo’s high shot (on report, Category 1 HIA) added to the chaos, forcing Tonga into early reshuffles.
Led by Junior Paulo, the iron-hearted captain playing through a taped ankle, Samoa’s forward pack dominated the collision zone. Haas and Paulo hammered through the ruck while Murray Taulagi’s slick flick-pass sent Izack Tago diving into the corner in the 8th minute for the opener — Pacific poetry in motion.
Blue Crush: Samoa’s Relentless Pressure
Tonga struggled to find rhythm. A spilled bomb from Sione Katoa gifted Blaize Talagi an easy penalty goal. Every tackle, every chase, carried that island rhythm — heavy, proud, unrelenting.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was electric, weaving 276 metres of footwork and flair, slicing through red shirts like ocean spray against coral.
By the 28th minute, Nanai leapt high for a Jarome Luai bomb, clutching it with one hand and crashing over like a tidal wave. Then, just before halftime, he grubbered and regathered for his second — pure instinct, pure Toa.
Halftime: Samoa 16–0.
Stats said it all — Samoa completing at 80%, Tonga hanging on at 77%.
Storms, Thunder, and Toa Composure
Then came the lightning.
At 60 minutes, with the score still 16–0, the heavens opened — thunder, hail, the full island soundtrack. But in the sheds, Samoa stayed cool, laughing, dancing, keeping that fa’aSamoa flow.
When play resumed 95 minutes later, it was all blue fire. Samoa rained down 18 unanswered points — tries to Taulagi, Payne Haas, and Chanel Harris-Tavita sealed the demolition. Tonga’s lone spark came in the 78th minute through Koula, but by then, the story was written in blue.
Final score: Samoa 34 – Tonga XIII 6.
Island Stats & Record Breakers
- Crowd: 44,682 – Biggest Pacific Test crowd in Aussie history
- Junior Paulo: Samoa’s most-capped player ever — 80-minute warrior, MVP on one ankle!
- Samoa: First win since 2022 World Cup semi — 6-game drought smashed
- Lightning Delay: 95 minutes – longest in league history
Strategic Masterclass
Coach Ben Gardiner’s “passion over pain” mantra came to life. Samoa’s completion rate soared past 90% post-delay, while Luai’s kicking game turned the skies into his personal playground. Haas and Paulo terrorized the middle third, forcing Tonga into 13 errors.
Standouts:
- RTS: 276m of brilliance
- Nanai: 2 tries, pure mana
- Haas: 7 tackle busts, unstoppable
Next Up: Pacific Cup Final Awaits
Toa Samoa now marches to the Pacific Cup Final, eyeing a rematch with the New Zealand Kiwis on November 9. Tonga will look to bounce back at Eden Park this weekend — Mate Ma’a pride still fierce, still burning.
But for now, the islands rise with Samoa.
