After spending last June involved in the mini-tournament in South Africa, Samoa return to a watered down Pacific Nations Cup tournament against Tonga. Each team has only two games in this year’s edition, which in truth exists in name only. The IRB has some work to do to give opportunities to the Tier 2 nations, but let’s get back to the matter at hand.

Coach Stephen Betham is thankfully able to call on a much stronger group of players than the threadbare selection that lost in Tokyo. The majority of their top professionals have joined the squad to begin World Cup preparations, though those involved in finals such as Northampton duo Kahn Fotuali’i and George Pisi have only just arrived, limiting their involvement to bench duty. Still the Manu are able to field a strong team, making wholesale changes as only Fautua Otto remains from last week.

Experienced campaigners Kane Thompson, Zac Taulafo, and Census Johnston lead a bruising forward pack featuring a particularly menacing back row. Hurricanes flankers Faifili Levave and Jack Lam should provide plenty of dynamism at the contact area and Taiasina Tuifu’a is always good for a few big busts up the middle. Jeremy Su’a and Tusi Pisi will direct traffic from the halfbacks, while another Wellington star Alapati Leiua, one of the form backs in Super Rugby, makes his midfield debut for the Manu after winning his previous caps on the wing.

Tonga, in the meantime, are not so lucky. While they have patched together a semi-competitive side with a few leading players, they have numerous absentees including nearly all their top European pros. A number of Japan-based players have been called in to fill the gaps, but it still leaves them woefully understrength.

Mercifully among them is inspirational captain Nili Latu, who will be delighted to see Bayonne lock Lisiate Fa’aoso back in the red jersey for the first time since mid-2011. The big fella missed the last World Cup due to injury but looks set to revive his international career just in time to make this one. Workhorse Vili Ma’afu holds down the back of the scrum, but there is no sign of Sione Kalamafoni, Steve Mafi, or even Joe Tu’ineau.

If the forwards are questionable the backs are even more worrying, with only Siale Piutau considered first choice. Late arrival Fetu’u Vainikolo has to settle for a spot on the bench, with Otulea Katoa named to win his first cap in his stead. Two other debutants await in the reserves, with former New Zealand u20 and Canterbury hooker Paul Ngauamo called up for the first time along with Northland and Blues scrumhalf Tane Takulua.

With experience, class, and home field advantage all in their favour, this is Samoa’s game to lose. Poor Tongan coach Mana Otai has had to manufacture a side in a few short days and you can expect them to be accordingly ragged. Most of the Manu have played together on multiple occasions by now, and the gulf in ability should be pretty clear shortly after the opening exchanges. Take Samoa to win by 15.

**EDIT: Two minor changes to the original lineups see Logovi’i Mulipola starting at tighthead for Samoa with Census Johnston and Anthony Perenise on the bench. Opeti Fonua drops out of the Tongan bench replaced by Daniel Faleafa.

SAMOA vs TONGA

Saturday, June 7, 01:00 GMT, Apia

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

Assistants: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) & Andrew Rees (ARU)

TMO: n/a