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Addin Fonua-Blake
Getty Images

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Volkman has been the best player on the field the second he crossed the stripe. And how he got across the try-line there, I can't explain. There were defenders coming in from everywhere. He can't get across the line? Yes he can.

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Ben Gardiner will be talking to his Samoa players about trying to reduce the number of errors, but that was a high-quality game of footy, and evidence that either of these teams can win this competition.

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

The speed of the game is starting to take its toll on Samoa. What about Rob Toia there? His footwork, poise and balance to go 40 meters - incredible, because he wasn't beating ordinary players there, that's for sure.

Samoa's Blaize Talagi
Image source, Getty Images

Tonga and Samoa both know what they need to do to reach the semi-finals, and they may well end up both going through - but the fierce rivalry between them doesn't really allow for a carve-up.

Samoa beat Tonga 34-6 during last year's Pacific Championships. And in the build-up to today's rematch, Tonga half-back Isaiya Katoa has made clear that he wants revenge.

"We always look forward to playing Samoa," Katoa said. "They are like our brothers; whenever you're going up against your brother, you always want to get one up on them.

"We were really disappointed in how we performed last year. We are hoping to improve on last year's performance."

Half-back Isaiya Katoa - who was the standout player as Tonga beat England 30-12 two weeks ago - has recovered from an ankle problem, and so returns after sitting out the win over Lebanon. It means Tui Lolohea shifts to stand-off, and Latu Fainu drops down to the bench.

Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and centre Rob Toia return to the starting side, meaning Sione Katoa and Paul Alamoti - both try scorers against Lebanon - drop out.

Tyson Frizell returns at loose forward - he is representing a third different country at a World Cup, having played for Wales in 2013 and Australia in 2017.

Tonga: Lehi Hopoate, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Tolutau Koula, Robert Toia, Jojo Fifita, Tui Lolohea, Isaiya Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, Salesi Foketi, Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau'atu, Siua Wong, Tyson Frizell.

Interchange: Soni Luke, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Taniela Paseka, Leka Halasima, Latu Fainu.

Isaiya Katoa
Getty Images

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