Tonga shy away from favouritism for Pacific derby

Soon it’s the footy that will do all the talking. As Tonga and Samoa edge closer to their blockbusting Rugby League World Cup matchup in Hamilton tonight, it’s been a case of each camp not wanting to ignite anything which might give their great rivals that bit of added motivation.

In scenes rather contrasting to those ugly ones between the respective nations’ supporters midweek, match eve was instead a case of the Pacific neighbours clambering over one another to claim underdog status, for what is sure to be a highly charged affair at FMGStadium Waikato.

With all their big-name additions, including the late defecting Kiwi group, everyone knows this is Tonga’s game to lose. They have been the talk of the tournament, and for good reason, but, until time-on is blown, there’s certainly no pumping of chests from those in camp Mate Ma’a.

Even coming off an impressive 50-4 demolition of Scotland in Cairns first-up, where they led 38-0 at halftime; and with Toa Samoa slumping to a 38-8 loss to the Kiwis in Auckland, Tonga coach Kristian Woolf is playing down any talk of favouritism.

‘‘We don’t see it that way, to be honest,’’ he said. ‘‘We’re ranked number 11 in the world, they’re ranked number five. A couple of names don’t change us too much.’’

Yes, those world rankings are correct, and it’s Samoa who have had the big brother mentality, winning three of the five clashes between the two sides in their history, but also the past two - the mid-year tests in 2016 and 2015.

But with no less than nine former Kiwis and three former Kangaroos in their 17 for Saturday, Tonga certainly have a far-improved strike force ready. When you can afford to leave out Konrad Hurrell and Manu Vatuvei, and replace them on the right edge with Warriors duo Solomone Kata and David Fusitu’a, you know you’re in a good spot.

And that’s why Samoa know they’re up against it.

They were awful with their decision-making on last-tackle plays against New Zealand, and need to improve out of sight against a Tongan side which assistant coach Sean Long labelled ‘‘outstanding’’ in its nine-try effort against the Scots.

‘‘They’ve set the benchmark there and we’ve got to go with them this week,’’ he said.

‘‘We know they’re favourites, and it’s up to us to match their intensity, so we know we’re underdogs. We’re obviously dusting ourselves down from that loss to New Zealand.’’

But for Woolf, whose team will be back in Hamilton the following weekend for the much-anticipated clash against the Kiwis, this is no time to be caught on the hop by Samoa.

‘‘We’ve certainly had some attention, and that makes it easy for them to push the pressure on, I suppose, and that’s what they’re trying to do,’’ he said. ‘‘I think both teams are under just the same amount of pressure.

‘‘And they’ve got some really big inclusions, if you look at guys like Josh Papalii and BJ Leilua, who hasn’t played a lot for them in the past few years.

‘‘So it’s going to be a whole new challenge this week.

‘‘Samoa’s going to come at a really high intensity, it’s a real traditional rivalry clash, it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be physical, it’s going to be an 80-minute game, so we’re going to have to go up a level, and we’re going to have to be a lot better than what we were last week, particularly in the second half.’’

If there wasn’t already enough at stake here, the loser of the match is likely to be faced with the prospect of the Kangaroos in the quarterfinals in a fortnight’s time.

A big crowd is in store, though it’s far from sold out, and forecast rain may well force the teams’ traditional attacking styles to be reined in.