Gary Wang, owner of Bargain House in Ōtāhuhu, said Tongan and Samoan merchandise has been flying off the shelves. He estimates they have sold almost 1000 Tongan and Samoan flags over the past two weeks. Photo / Emma Tavai

It’s tipped to be one of the best matches of the Rugby League World Cup tournament, as Tonga and Samoa face each other in the ultimate Pacific showdown.

Excitement has been building for weeks ahead of tonight’s sold-out game at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, which kicks off at 10.05pm NZT.