Tonga XIII Face Do-or-Die Clash with Kiwis in Pacific Cup Showdown
After last week’s heavy loss to Samoa, Tonga’s Pacific Cup campaign now hangs in the balance. Coach Kristian Woolf’s men must beat New Zealand by at least 17 points this weekend at Eden Park to avoid the dreaded relegation playoff that could see them drop from the top-tier Pacific Cup into the Pacific Bowl.
The pressure is immense. Tonga’s 34–6 defeat to Toa Sāmoa exposed worrying gaps in fitness, cohesion, and game management—issues that have dominated talk among fans and commentators throughout the week. Many pointed to a lack of combinations in key positions and fitness levels with several players having not played together at this level before and majority of players had not played for eight weeks.
The absence of star forward Jason Taumalolo didn’t help. His leadership and presence were sorely missed, though even his inclusion might not have changed the result, with Samoa already battle-hardened from an earlier fixture and playing with conviction.
This week, Woolf has recalled Taumalolo, who returns from injury to captain the side once again. Speaking to John Pulu on PMN Tonga, Woolf said the NRL veteran’s return brings more than just power: it brings belief.
“Disappointing last week. We weren’t where we needed to be,” Woolf said. “We’re a young side and we’re going to learn from that. But having Jason back gives us confidence—he represents who we are when we play together.”
For Tonga, this isn’t just another fixture—it’s a test of evolution. Once defined purely by brute strength, Woolf insists that Tongan rugby league now embraces control, patience, and precision. “Tongan rugby league isn’t just about power anymore,” he said. “We’ve worked hard to bring respect for the small moments that win big games.”
The Kiwis, coached by Stacey Jones, have named a 21-man squad mixing veterans like Kieran Foran, possibly on his final tour, with debutants such as Xavier Willison. “We’ve selected a strong core and some hungry young men,” Jones said. “We expect to compete at the highest level, and we know Tonga will test every part of the game.”
While New Zealand aim to reassert dominance, Tonga play for redemption and identity. A win would reaffirm their place among the Pacific’s elite and show that their cultural pride and modern approach can coexist on the big stage.
“It’s two proud nations meeting head-on,” Woolf said. “We both carry our people with us onto that field.”
Thousands of Tongan fans are expected to turn Eden Park red during Thursday’s Fan Day and again on match day. For the players, the crowd’s passion is as much a weapon as it is a reminder of responsibility.
Whether Tonga can match the Kiwis’ structure and discipline, or rely on Taumalolo’s trademark physicality to set the tone, remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—Sunday’s contest will be more than a game.
It will be a statement of identity, resilience, and pride. For Tonga, it’s a fight not just for survival in the Pacific Cup, but for respect and renewal on rugby league’s grandest regional stage.
