New Assistant Coaches Spark New Life into ‘Ikale Tahi
Halangahu, Soakai and Manu Breathe Energy into Tonga’s Campaign
The ‘Ikale Tahi of Tonga opened their 2025 Pacific Nations Cup and Rugby World Cup qualification campaign with a statement victory—defeating Samoa 30–16 in front of a raucous Te’ufaiva Stadium crowd in Nuku’alofa. More than just a win, it marked the reawakening of a side energised by new coaching direction.
Last season, Tonga’s campaign often lacked vigour and consistency. This year, the arrival of Daniel Halangahu, the former Waratahs and Blues assistant; Alando Soakai, a proven coach with success in Japan, the NPC and Moana Pasifika; and Pauliasi Manu, the ex-Super Rugby prop turned scrum specialist, has been transformative. Their fingerprints were clear: a sharper set-piece, disciplined structure, and a renewed confidence in execution.
The impact showed early. Flanker Siosiua Moala crossed after just seven minutes, setting the tone. Veteran halfback Sonatane Takulua, coaxed out of retirement, pounced on a loose Samoan lineout for the second try. Replacement hooker Samiuela Moli sealed the result in the dying moments from a driving maul. In between, fly-half Patrick Pellegrini marshalled the game with maturity, flawless off the tee and steady under pressure.
Samoa, for their part, responded through winger Tuna Tuitama and fullback Melani Nanai, but struggled to counter Tonga’s set-piece dominance and breakdown aggression. Captain Ben Tameifuna led from the front, his tight-five—bolstered by Lotu Inisi and Halaleva Fifita—winning the collisions and denying Samoa momentum.
Post-match, Tameifuna thanked fans and called for focus ahead of sterner tests, while head coach Tevita Tuifua praised the squad’s adherence to plan. Samoa captain Theodore MacFarland admitted his side must regroup quickly before facing Fiji in Rotorua on 6 September.
For Tonga, this was more than a morale boost. With Fiji and Japan already qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, three remaining spots from Tonga, Samoa, Canada and the USA are up for grabs. Canada drew first blood in the Americas with a 34–20 win over the United States.
Next weekend’s clash against Fiji in Suva will be the true litmus test. Yet, the signs are clear: the addition of Halangahu, Soakai and Manu has injected tactical clarity, scrum authority and self-belief into a side that last year lacked spark. Tonga now look not just competitive, but genuinely ready to fight for a place on rugby’s biggest stage.
