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HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji, will host this intriguing PNC match between favourites Fiji and the visiting Tongans, with the visitors shocking Samoa last week in the PNC opening round. This means that if Tonga can beat Fiji, they will be heading to RWC 2027.
I underestimated Tonga last week. They have picked a stronger squad than was expected for the PNC tournament and seem to have better damage limitations with players being absent with European clubs in pre-season camps.
In Tonga’s 30-16 win over Manu Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa, Patrick Pellegrini was particularly impressive, and the fly-half carried on his fine form with Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Aupiki campaign this season. He again starts at ten this weekend.
His scrum-half partner Sonatane Takulua in the win was also in fine form, and the former Agen and Toulon player, now with a French 3rd division Chambery, was the first Tongan ever to earn 50 caps. In the victory over Samoa, he touched the ball more than any other player and carried the ball plenty in contributing a try and an assist. However, it is the experienced Augustine Pulu who has been selected to start at 9 among the reserves.
'Ikale Tahi Tonga were solid in the setpiece last week, and it is an area where the Fijians might try to target them too. Tonga won 10 of their 11 lineouts and scored one of their tries from a rolling maul against Samoa.
No. 8 LoteuInisi made 11 tackles and nine carries last week, but he is absent from the matchday squad - it is Siosiua Moala who will have his hands and shoulders full this weekend to halt the Fijians at 8th man.
There are threats elsewhere among the backs from Solomone Kata, Dragons RFC duo Fetuli Paea and Fine Inisi, and experienced full back and Japan-based Salesi (Charles) Piutai.
On the bench, there are potential debuts for Talimoni Finau & Uilisi Halaholo. The latter played for Wales and has switched to Tonga.
Inspirational Tonga captain Ben Tameifuna, who starts, said of the win last week, “It’s been an awesome occasion. We came to Tonga a couple of weeks ago – to get to where we are now is pretty awesome.”
The skipper left the field after 52 minutes, and his leadership and impact are massive for the Tongans. At the club level, he has won the Top 14 title with Racing 92 before representing Bordeaux.
The Tongan coaching ranks were also bolstered this PNC campaign. The addition of former Waratahs and Blues assistant coach Daniel Halangahu, who said he was honoured to help rugby in Tonga and the 'Ikale Tahi Tonga team, Alando Soakai, a former pro player who has been coaching in Japan with Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, the NPC and with Moana Pasifika; and Pauliasi Manu, a former Super Rugby prop who is a scrum coach specialist.
Fiji need all the game time they can muster and won't take Tonga lightly. Aside from trying to defend their PNC title, they head to face England, France and Spain on their end-of-year tour, and these games are critical for World Rugby ranking points.
In a week which has seen the FRU host a series of events at the FRU Symposium 2025 to promote the game, dine with sponsors and introduce the new wave of young stars, a win at home would be a massive dent to their own aspirations.
Head coach Mick Byrne will again rely on a heavily influenced Fijian Drua squad and was unfortunate to miss out on the services of Semi Radradra, who picked up an injury in camp, as the powerful centre will be more readily available now playing his club rugby in Japan.
Captain Tevita Ikanivere is under no illusions of the challenge that their Pacific rivals will bring, and said the team left no stone unturned in their preparation
Byrne, though, insists it is time to build depth and blood new players. "I think it’s an exciting time for us….We're giving some players an opportunity to come into the program - young players who can show us what they've got. The PNC is a great chance to build our depth, and it’s important we keep progressing in that direction.” He insists all the players in the mix are there on merit: “These boys have played well and deserve to be here.”
There were three potential debutants in the training squad form of Motikai Murray, Taniela Rakuro, and Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, and Byrne had selected all of them for the match. Samusamuvodre starts at outside centre, while utility back Motikai Murray and Taniela Rakuro are both among the reserves. Etonia Waqa will also make his first run-on start.
