Tonga and Samoa U20s rugby union teams will battle it out Saturday, 22 February, to win the Oceania Rugby Trophy at Apia Park Stadium, and take the qualification spot for the World Rugby U20s Trophy later this year.

Tonga will look to repeat their performance last year when they beat Samoa and went on to play in the 2019 World Rugby Under 20s Trophy in Spain.

Tonga’s Captain 'Ofa Manukeu said the team is ready to play now that they’ve assembled in Samoa.

“It’s been hard with preparations, but we’re altogether now and we’re ready,”

“I am very humbled to lead out the team this weekend,” he said.

Samoa’s Captain East Timor Faamatuainu said that preparations for the trophy have been gruelling as the team have been working to get the right set pieces in play over the last couple of months.

“We know that Tonga is a good and strong opponent and they have quite a few physical players too, so hopefully the game will work well if we follow our game plan and set pieces,” he said. 

“These are hardworking guys and I’m proud of them. I am confident in our performance this weekend.” 

The game kicks off at 4:00pm Western Samoa time with tickets sold at the grounds.

The game will be broadcast on TV3 Samoa, and livestreamed on the Oceania Rugby Facebook, Twitter, and Digicel Play Go.