Tonga

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.

Samoa lost 38 - 8 to the Kiwis last weekend, while Tonga thrashed Scotland 50 - 4.

New South Wales hard-man Andrew Fifita says they're definitely not underestimating Toa Samoa.

"They're pretty packed. They're a good strong team and that's going to really challenge us," he says. "In saying that, we'll be ready for it and we can't wait for Saturday."

Former Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei says although Tonga won their last game convincingly, they know Samoa won't back down.

There have also been angry social media exchanges between fans and pictures of various flags being burnt.

Jenny Salesa said rugby league was a game they all enjoy and people could celebrate in a way which is respectful and where everyone is safe and people are acting within the laws.

Mrs Salesa urged the Pacific community to come together in peace and unity, and to celebrate the pedigree of sporting talent the two Pacific nations possess.

Aupito William Sio said the community should be celebrating their league prowess and not throwing punches.

This Saturday's clash between Samoa and Tonga is arguably the most anticipated clash of the World Cup pool stages with Tonga's strengthened line-up seeking to supplant Samoa as the leading challenger to the dominance of rugby league's Tier 1 nations.

While a Tonga team inspired by Jason Taumalolo and Michael Jennings brushed past Scotland 50-4 in their opening pool game Samoa wilted in the latter stages against New Zealand to go down 38-8 in Auckland, making their task to avoid a likely quarter-final showdown with the Kangaroos that much more difficult.

The team that was the talk of the World Cup prior to the tournament kicked off due to the high-profile inclusions of Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita wasted no time to show that what is on paper will transfer to the field, Michael Jennings scoring the opening four-pointer of his first half hat-trick inside the first three minutes.

All eyes were on forwards Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, both playing their first match for Tonga since turning their backs on New Zealand and Australia, but the duo only played the first 20 minutes of the match.

Samoa and Solomons Men met for the first time for many years and it provided a close tussle. 

At the conclusion of the match it was a 2 all draw.

To find the winner involved the first shootout competition of the tournament.

Exciting goalkeeping kept the score 1-1 as different strikers had their turns however, it was in sudden death that Samoa, in their first Hockey5s shootout broke the deadlock to take the game.

The highlight game in the women's section was the match between Samoa and Fiji. Samoa really challenged Fiji and the match ended 6-4 to Fiji. 

Wilex Samoa, a 100% locally owned family business, is showcase its delicately crafted KOKO LOA brand of chocolates.

The KOKO LOA is a new boutique cocoa brand that proudly celebrates its Samoan origins.

Elife’s Samoa Wild Tumeric is another Samoan product that will be promoted at the show this weekend.

Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, Elife’s Samoa Wild Turmeric Juice is uniquely prepared with alkaline ionised water to ensure you experience its unique and natural flavour, without the interference of additives and preservatives.

King Tupou VI last week made the decision to declare elections a year early, an effective vote of no confidence in Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Mr Pohiva's government will continue in an interim role until the elections, set down for November 16.

His cabinet met yesterday, before a brief statement was read on the country's public radio.

It provided no reaction to the decision, except to say that the administration of government services will continue.

Real Tonga Airline is on the verge of signing an agreement with government to service the route three times a week, says Polynesian Airlines General Manager Tupuivao Seiuli Alvin Tuala.

Real Tonga Airlines plans to use one of its 34-seater planes from the northern island of Vavau - which is closer to Samoa than Tonga's main islands. And test flights have proven successful, according to a statement from Samoa Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.