Grand final approach being taken to showdown

Traditional rivals Tonga and Samoa will be taking a grand final approach into their match in Hamilton tonight.

Fifth-ranked Samoa are coming off an opening 38-8 drubbing by the Kiwis last week, while world No 11 Tonga looked intimidating in demolishing Scotland 50-4 in their opening game.

Tonga haven’t beaten Samoa since 2013, but have been boosted by the addition of former Kiwis enforcer Jason Taumalolo, and also boast NRL stars Will Hopoate, Andrew Fifita, Daniel Tupou and Konrad Hurrell.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf is expecting a tough match, despite his team’s recent high-profile acquisitions and big opening win.

“These are our traditional rivals, this is a grand final in a lot of ways for both teams, and both teams will approach it that way,” he said.

e“It’s going to be tough, its going to be physical, and it going to be an 80-minute game. We’re going to have to go up a level.”

Samoa’s assistant coach Sean Long says it’s obvious where his team will need to improve against an in-form Mate Ma’a Tonga.

“You can’t win a football game completing at 15 per cent in the second half, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing,” Long said.

“It’s pretty simple — we need to keep hold of the ball, build some pressure and finish our sets a little bit better.”