Toa Samoa

In an otherwise closely contested encounter, Samoa's sloppy ball control inside their own 20-metre zone gave Tonga a free pass to set up camp in attacking territory on a number of occasions, while four of their five tries came directly after Samoan handling errors deep in their own territory.

It contributed to Samoa finishing the match on the wrong end of a lopsided possession count, and post-match coach Matt Parish was fuming at his side's self-capitulation.  

Meli highlighted Samoa's inability to contain second phase, which saw them allow 16 offloads, as the key difference in New Zealand's 38-8 win, and told NRL.com they could expect something similar against a star-studded Tonga forward pack at Waikato Stadium.

"I think Samoa got caught off guard against the Kiwis, the first contact in tackles was good but they weren't getting players to ground, you saw [Martin] Taupau almost on the ground and still able to offload at times," said Meli, who played seven times for Samoa along with earning 13 Test caps for the Kiwis.

Ricky Leutele has been named on the wing in place of Peter Mata'utia, who's returned to Australia with a quad injury.

The other change is up front with Herman Ese'ese promoted to start in the front row and Sam Lisone dropping to the bench.

Mate Ma'a Tonga have tweaked their backline for the clash.

Solomone Kata comes in for Konrad Hurrell in the centres, alongside three-try hero Michael Jennings, while David Fusitu'a replaces former Warriors teammate Manu Vatuvei on the wing.

Samoa squad:

After trailing just 10-4 at the break on Saturday night, Samoa made 11 second-half errors, one of which led directly to a New Zealand try, to suffer their second largest loss on record against Kiwis.

"You can't toss garbage up and expect to compete, especially against a team that good," Parish said.

"Our second half performance, and look the Kiwis played very well, but we were our own worst enemies.

"We tried hard but we made schoolboy errors.

Canberra Raiders Centre Joseph Leilua will go up against his team mate Jordan Rapana who will be playing for the Kiwis. 

Leilua says he’s ready to put relationships aside and put everything on the line for Samoa.

“Me and Rapana have a close bond but when we get out on the field we’re enemies, so I can’t wait. Good luck to him and good luck to myself."

Young Warriors player Bunty Afoa will be making his World Cup debut tonight with the Toa Samoa team. 

The 21-year-old says he's looking forward to a big clash.

Among the 17 set to take the field for Samoa in Auckland are 10 players who were born in New Zealand, while there are another three who were born in other countries but have represented New Zealand at junior or senior level in the past. 

It leaves Young Tonumaipea, Peter Mata'utia, Tim Lafai and Joseph Leilua as the only Samoa players who wouldn't be eligible to represent the Kiwis, while there are also duel Samoa-New Zealand internationals Ben Roberts, Frank Pritchard and Suaia Matagi in coach Matt Parish's team for week one.

A monster forward pack including captain Frank Pritchard and Canberra-based duo Junior Paulo and Josh Papalii will take to the field in Auckland, hoping for an upset win over the hosts.

With several Australian and Kiwi-born players, that's a distinct possibility.

Ben Roberts starts at halfback, partnered by Joseph Paulo, while NRL regulars Tim Lafai and Joey Leilua line up in the centres.

There are four Warriors players in Matt Parish's extended squad - wing Ken Maumalo, hooker Jazz Tevaga, prop Sam Lisone and reserve Bunty Afoa.

While New Zealand and Tonga have stolen all the headlines ahead of this week's first round of pool matches, Toa Samoa have been assiduously working away on home soil, hoping to earn a spot in the Cup final four.

They've now touched down in Auckland - home to an enormous Samoan diaspora - in preparation for Saturday night's clash with the Kiwis.

Pritchard, a 26-cap Kiwis veteran who has elected to represent his heritage at the Cup, couldn't wait to showcase his Samoa side to the world.

He had every belief they could make waves at the event.

Samoa’s tries came from Peter Mata'utia, Jarome Luai, Young Tonumaipe'a, Ken Maumalo and Suaia Matagi.

Joesph Leilua added to tha tally with his two tries.

The conversions came from Matthew Wright, Fa'amanu Brown and Joseph Paulo.

There were two tries for NSW  Country U23’s from Jacob Gagai and a try each from Ryley Thomas, Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy and Jack Hickson.

The clash is the first for Toa Samoa since its line up for the RLWC was announced last week.

Toa Samoa’s campaign for the RLWC kicks off against New Zealand in Auckland on 28 October.

The match-up between the Country and Samoan sides will be the main event in a festival of football, with an Open-Age Men’s Group 9 v Group 20 Indigenous match, Women’s tackle nines match between Riverina and Western and U17’s clash between Riverina and Monaro taking place from 3pm (local time)

Toa Samoa Coach Matt Parish believes the match is a great opportunity, not only for his side, but for Rugby League fans throughout the Riverina.